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There were a couple of surprise faces in the City starting XI. Phil Mulryne, just released from Norwich started for City and so did a triallist striker from Parma called Andrea Ferretti. Jamie McCunnie played the second half. Mulryne and McCunnie have both been training with the sqaud and could be the next official asignings alongwith Darren Purse from West Brom. He was at the game watching with Sam Hammam. Sam is hoping to close the deal and bring the defender to Ninian Park.
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Neil Alexander
Rhys Weston
Chris Barker
Willie Boland
Neil Cox
Glenn Loovens
Phil Mulryne
Richard Langley
Alan Lee
Andrea Ferretti
Paul Parry
A crowd of 617 (with a good representation from City fans) watched the Bluebirds play on an undulating pitch in a Northern town basking in temperatures into 70’s. Cardiff opened the scoring when Richard Langley found time and space in the centre circle, he moved forward and took everyone by surprise by smacking the ball home from 35 yards, a stunning strike. His goal was celebrated by the travelling fans who called for “Science” to do the Ayatollah (Big Brother fans will appreciate the likeness between “Langers” and Science).
As the game went on Willie Boland managed to get on the score sheet. Some clever one touch passing found Willie the furthest player forward and he scored like he did every day of his life, his chip over the keeper made it 2 – 0. A flap in defence on the stroke of half time allowed Accrington to pull one back. The initial cross was not dealt with by Neil Alexander and despite a block off the line City were slow to react and Accrington took their chance.
Dave Jones made changes at half time and City started the second half with another new face
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Tony Warner
Jamie McCunnie
Danny Parslow
Byron Anthony
Chris Barker
Stuart Fleetwood
Willie Boland
Toni Koskela
Stuart Fleetwood
Andy Campbell
Cameron Jerome
It was Andy Campbell who set up Jerome for the killer strike to make it 3 - 1 and so end the game. A long ball down the left found Campbell onside, he darted towards goal and set up Jerome for an easy finish but the quality of play was excellent. Neither of City’s keepers were severely tested and in my opinion the star man again was Chris Barker. It was more than just a warm up with players not afraid to make a challenge.
Before the game I spoke to Jeff Whitley and Jermaine Darlington. Neither of whom played today. Jermaine confirmed he has completed his move to Ninian Park. Joe Ledley was also a spectator as he makes his comeback from injury.
Another player not seeing action was Neal Ardley.
Those who dream that Accrington is this quaint Northern town with chaps in flat caps are not far wrong. I’d rather get stuck there for a week than a fortnight. The staff at the club were friendly enough bar one steward who kept insisting on keeping the aisles clear despite their being no one in the stand.
Dave Jones was interviewed post match and seems a level headed guy who knows exactly what he has to do. I feel he will do really well for us and as we've seen over the last couple of days we are building a new squad, his squad.
The team now head on to Scotland with games in the coming week against Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Falkirk before home games against Udinese and WBA.