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Margetson
Weston
Prior
Collins
Barker
Bonner
Kav
Maxwell
Boland
Campbell
Gordon
Whalley (Kavanagh 46)
Croft (Barker 68)
Bowen (Maxwell 68)
Earnshaw (?)
Vidmar (Collins 80)
Fleetwood (Gordon 85)
Robert Earnhshaw scored his and City's third goal on tour as the Bluebirds got their first win. Earnie fired home from the penalty spot on 79 mins to bring the curtain down on Scandinavia 2003.
There was no John Robinson in the side as the new recruit failed a fitness test on a calf strain.
It was another frustrating evening for City, plenty of possession but no cutting edge until Earnie came on as a second half sub. City dominated and looked comfortable but the memories of last season come flooding back as a goal was hard to come by.
Gavin Gordon had put the ball in the net in the first half but it was ruled out for offside in the 21st minute. 60 seconds later and a Gordon shot fizzed wide.
City took control of the game with the spine of Collins, Kavanagh and Gordon getting on top of their counterparts. City were wearing their blue kit tonight, and in doing so allowing the eyes of those who saw them wear orange the other night, extra recovery time.
As the 30 min mark came up Andy Campbell broke down the left but shot wide. City dominating the game but failing to provide a decent service to the strikers.
Half time 0 - 0. The www.cardiffcity.com reporter told me "I cannot see where a goal is coming from without Earnie on the pitch."
The first sub was made at half time. Gareth Whalley come on for Kav.
Andy Campbell came closest to breaking the deadlock when he was put through 1 on 1 but the keeper saved to force a corner. Spencer Prior then went close with an overhead kick.
Gary Croft and Jason Bowen came on for Chris Barker and Layton Maxell on 68 mins.
The goal came with 11 mins remaining. Robert Earnshaw by this time was on the pitch and he scored the only goal with a penalty kick on 79 mins. It was Earnie himself who was brought down and he made no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way.
Tony Vidmar replaced James Collins and then Stuart Fleetwood replaced Gavin Gordon late on.
The win was a welcome result but the performance overall was poor with City failing to kill off inferior opponents.
Robert Earnshaw has started this season off as our only threat in front of goal. He needs support, he can't do it all by himself.
City next play at Cambridge on Saturday. It's hoped that Peter Thorne can join up with the team after having an injection to ease his ankle injury. It was thought he may need surgery but the last I heard the injection could do the trick. We'll see.