Planet Swans ArchivesThe Cardiff City reserves played host to Swansea City on Wedensday to over one hundred spectators at Leckwith Athletic stadium. Paul Wilkinsons team were looking to build on their 3-2 result over Swindon Town.
Senior team regulars Rhys Weston and Andy Campbell were included in the starting eleven, while the game was considered too soon for Peter Thorne and Richard Langley; the latter watching from the stand.
Recent young hopefuls Cameron Jerome and Danny Thomas were also to start with view to keeping in Lennie Lawrence’s thoughts ahead of the Loftus Road trip this Saturday.The first half opened with Cardiff holding the majority of play, though a half chance came to the Swans on seven minutes with a Pepperell shot aimed straight at Bluebirds ‘keeper Attard.
Danny Thomas then came close a few minutes later with an impressive turn and volley from twenty five yards. Unfortunately the ball after beating everyone clipped the crossbar and went out of play.
Bluebirds confidence was growing throughout the first period, highlighted by the first real chance for Cameron Jerome in the thirteenth minute. Kirk Huggins made a run down the left flank, crossing the ball excellently to Jerome. The flying header required a top class save, provided by Swans ‘keeper Murphy as he tipped the ball over the bar.
Jerome was close to scoring again soon after, as Andy Campbell passed well to Thomas who then placed the ball in Jerome’s path. The Swansea number one reacted the faster of the two though, beating the City striker to the ball.
It seemed at this point as if Cardiff were only a matter of time from scoring with the visiting side having limited possession. The game took a turn for the worse on the half hour mark, with a crunching two footed challenge on Huggins by Swansea number two Jacob Guy.
The ref considered the challenge enough to dismiss Guy, with the Cardiff physio still attending to Huggins. Thankfully, the Bluebirds defender was fit to resume after some treatment.
Cardiff looked to take immediate advantage of the extra man with fifteen minutes remaining, though still found the final shot wanting.
Further chances came the way of both Jerome and Thomas, but a lack of quality or good Swansea defending kept the the half to close without score.
Half Time : CARDIFF 0 – 0 SWANSEA
The second half continued to form with City looking the more likely to score first. Cameron Jerome nicely intercepted a backpass, though his lobbed shot sailed wide of the post.
The striker was presented another good ball by Thomas minutes later, though the resulting shot was again well saved by Murphy.
The visitors took an unlikely looking lead with fifteen minutes to play. A quick through ball was presented to Swans number ten Mark Pritchard, who despite looking offside was let through by the officials.
When one on one with City ‘keeper Attard, Pritchard finished with an excellent chipped shot leaving Attard stranded. The ball sailed over and into the net to give the Swans an unexpected lead.
The goal was clearly a shock to the home side, with the creative play now looking broken up. The extra man advantage was also hard to see from the chances created.
Rhys Weston looked to take responsibility to score on himself with a few impressive runs and shots on target. Unfortunatley, none were enough to trouble Murphy.
Cameron Jerome also looked close to scoring with a few minutes to go. A good run by Taylor, met Andy Campbell who’s misfit shot came to Jerome. The shot from close range proved that it was not to be Cardiff’s day, sailing just wide of the post.
Swansea did enough to frustrate City efforts in the last minutes, giving them the win.
SOURCE: CARDIFF CITY OFFICIAL WEB SITE
