The first pre season game ended in defeat for Cardiff City as Malky Mackay starts to mould his squad for the first serious action against Huddersfield on August 17th (and Northampton on Aug 14th).
Mackay played different sides in each half with a mix of first teamers and youngsters in both sides.
The first half started with:
Lewis, Oshilaja, Hudson, Keinan, Taylor, Darko, Kiss, Whittingham, Conway, Velikonja, Earnshaw.
Cardiff City ran out in their new blue away kit in front of 979 visiting fans, the away support double the home support. Any fears of a red v blue squabble were soon forgotten as colour was hardly mentioned. Most City fans wore blue and chanted Bluebirds. There was one large Keep Cardiff Blue banner.
FGR were sharper than the Championship visitors and went close twice in the opening minutes with one effort hitting the post.
Cardiff became more involved and decent work down the left between Taylor and Conway provided a couple of half chances that Earnie couldn't capitalise on.
Then City went behind. FGR broke with pace down their left and Omar Koroma managed to squeeze the ball past Joe Lewis and over the line for the only goal.
New signing Etien Velikonja was a nuisance to the FGR defence and was always looking for the run off the last defenders shoulder.
HT it was FGR 1 - 0 City and fans could sample the non red meat food on offer at the stadium. The FGR owner is a Vegan and does not provide beefburgers at The New Lawn. You could get Fish n Chips, Chip Butty's, veggie burgers or curry sauce and chips.
There was a total change for the second half with City lining up
Parrish, Blake, Gerrard, Turner, Nugent, Harris, Gunnarsson, McPhail, Ralls, Mason, Jarvis.
City were disadvantaged after just a couple of minutes of the restart when Steve McPhail pulled up with a hamstring injury. Cardiff played the match out with 10 men.
From my own point of view I thought Tony Gerrard did ok at the back and Aron Gunnarsson looked composed. The Icelander went close when his free kick was parried away and his long throw found Ben Turners head but the effort was off target.
Early days, not going to judge just yet but some players who are going to get rare chances this pre season, are going to need to sharpen up if they want to get a crack at the first team.
With Nailsworth relatively local we were back in Cardiff soon after 6pm. Next up City travel to Cheltenham on Tuesday,