Optimism is rife amongst Cardiff supporters and was borne out by an unannounced crowd that Penydarren Park regulars believed to be around 3,000 and the biggest crowd there for many years. Check previous season reports for a description of Merthyr's ground - City have played there pre-season last year and in FAW competition for 3 years prior to that - but suffice to say Strikers Bar was heaving (not helped by a private function in the main room) but the club opened temporary bars selling cans in the groundsman store room and the commercial office which you were allowed to take into the ground if you poured it into a plastic glass.
City's 1st half team playing 4-4-2 (or was it 4-5-1?) were:
Neil ALEXANDER
Gary CROFT
Danny GABBIDON
Scott YOUNG
Rhys WESTON
Gareth WHALLEY
Willie BOLAND
Graham KAVANAGH
Mark BONNER
Jason BOWEN
Andy CAMPBELL
Prior to kick-off, there was 1 minute silence for Steve Morris, who kept goal for Merthyr last season and was briefly on City's books a few season ago, having committed suicide during the close season. The game started almost 15 minutes late was no explanation appeared to be given, possibly it was the large crowd trying to enter through only 3 turnstiles.
City attacked from kick-off but Merthyr immediately had 2 or 3 good chances, mainly edge of area free-kicks which were wasted. They spent the rest of the game adopting a shoot on sight policy whenever they had an opening in City's half with Andy Mainwaring in particular hitting a number of weak shots at goal, across goal or over goal although the smacked the bar late in the half, the closest they came all game. They also had 3 shots from a free-kick inside the area after Weston was harshly adjudged to have deliberately back-passed to Alexander but hit the wall twice before driving wide.
Cardiff opened their account on 6 minutes as poor Merthyr covering allowed ANDY CAMPBELL to break clear from 35 yards, his pace left defenders floundering as he comfortably netted past Neil Thomas from 12 yards.
After that, the game had a look of 'men against boys' showing that Cardiff were far ahead of Merthyr in terms of fitness and the team for the new season. Gareth Whalley, showed up very well, an effective link up player who was an excellent passer and showed good vision too. Others to stand out were (not because of his white boots) were Gary Croft who looked much fitter than when he was on loan at the end of last season, Willie Boland already showing non-stop running and commitment whilst Young and Gabbidon (City's likely central defensive pairing at the start of season with Prior suspended) looked very comfortable and when they rarely got in trouble, they soon made up for it.
Around the half-hour mark, it was 2-0 as neat build up play left GRAHAM KAVANAGH receiving the ball unmarked 10 yards out. His first effort was weak and blocked by the keeper, ball came back to him and he hit the post and it rebounded a 2nd time before he smashed the ball home high into the net.
The real highlight for most fans was Rhys Weston's hair-do. The player normally shaven headed has grown it over the summer and was a lookie-likey for Shaggy from Scooby Doo (or Alex from Big Brother). Chants of "Weston, get your hair cut", or "Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?" or "Scooby Dooby Doooooooo" echoed from the terrace nearest Weston. Rhys responded to chants of "Shaggy, do the ayatollah" and took it in good fun, the other players loved it. I wonder if he'll keep his hair?
The other entertainment was a City-supporting male (sadly) streaker who tore onto the pitch after City won a corner and, like all streakers, didn't know what to do when he got on the pitch. He ended up falling twice after trying to do the Riverdance and found players and the ref running out of his way.
Half-time: Merthyr Tydfil 0 CARDIFF CITY 2
During the interval, the first half team warmed down (with the exception of Kav who chatted and joked with Lennie instead) and the second half team warmed up. Neil Alexander showed why he is a goalkeeper as he tried to warm up Walton with poor crosses and even poorer shots. Walton hardly had a save to make in 10 minutes as balls reached him rolling along the ground. I felt tempted to get out there and do it myself for him.
City's 2nd half team playing 3-5-2 were:
Mark WALTON
Chris BARKER
Spencer PRIOR
James COLLINS
Josh LOW
Des HAMILTON
Layton MAXWELL
Ceri HUGHES
Andy LEGG
Leo FORTUNE-WEST
Robert EARNSHAW
You may have noticed that trialist keeper Martyn Margetson and Peter Thorne didn't appear (I don't know why) whilst the player most notably overlooked for a run-out was Gavin Gordon. David Hughes is ill and it was not much of a surprise to see youngsters such as Giles and Gethin Jones not playing whilst it has been obvious for a long time that players such as Kevin Evans, Mike Simpkins and Andy Jordan (the latter currently injured) have no real future at Ninian Park.
In all honesty, the second period was tedious. You got the impression that the first half team and line up (with Earnie and Thorne slotting in) was closer to how City will start the season in 3 weeks at Oldham.
Chris Barker had a comfortable, far from outstanding, start as he played himself in. With the hairiest legs seen on any City player for years, the "werewolf" (aye-oooooh) showed he had good pace and can pass well. Andy Legg, pushed into left side midfield, played well but as a player who always shows his passion, his body language and demeanour suggested he wasn't too happy (or am I reading too much into things?).
Three players showed well. Josh Low showed some good runs, turns and touches but, again, his undoubted quality was not matched by his crossing and final ball. Nothing fell for Earnie in the area but he looked very sharp, one back heeled flick and spin to put him clear of his marker was one of the best pieces of skill you could wish to see. The other was Layton Maxwell, busy, industrious and looking hungry.
MAXWELL capped his performance with a fine goal. Having made Thomas produce a finger tip save from almost 25 yards just a minute earlier, he took a ball from Disco Des, looked up and smashed the ball high from just over 25 yards. Thomas was helpless as the ball flew over him and crashed in off the underside of the bar.
City's final goal was a belter from Leo who produced a typical performance. Close up, you realise how big and intimidating he can be. In front of goal, he either produces comedy or genius. He gave us all 2 belly laughs with shots that ended up being good defensive clearances for Merthyr before he met a deflected cross and blasted high into the net on his left foot with a shot that almost burst the net.
And that was just about it. The second half was nothing much to get excited about but, overall, Cardiff will have enjoyed the game, taken heart from a comfortable performance against poor looking opposition and all felt pleased that they got 45 minutes play under their belts. At this stage of the season, it's all you can ask for.
External Match reports
The Western Mail