Cheltenham Town 1-1 Cardiff City - Match Report

Parry Scores
By Sean Wozencroft
July 31 2004

Still no pre-season win for the Bluebirds, who were tonight held 1-1 by Cheltenham Town. Jamie Victory put the home side ahead in the second period but City did manage to snatch another draw midway through the half through Paul Parry.

City lined-up: Warner, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Parry, Bullock, Kavanagh, Robinson, Earnshaw, Lee

It was pleasing see a return for midfielder John Robinson who missed the Hibernian and Yeovil games through an ankle injury picked up at Chester. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Tony Warner played his first 90 minutes whilst Barker and Bullock were both given chances to impress the management.

Things are getting better with every display, but you would still expect us to win games like this. Still, it is only pre-season – the real stuff starts a week Saturday. Lennie Lawrence still has plenty to consider, though at least the defence looked a little stronger tonight.

The first half saw no clear-cut chances. Alan Lee should have done better with his weak eighth minute header and three minutes later Danny Gabbidon saw his strike blocked.

After 16 minutes Tony Warner was well-positioned to stop Grant McCann’s instinctive effort. He was, however, caught off-guard by Devaney’s 35-yard piledriver, though it flew harmlessly over the bar.

Lennie Lawrence made one change at the break, Willie Boland replacing Graham Kavanagh at the heart of midfield.

Eleven minutes into the second half and City found themselves behind. McCann sent Town’s first corner of the game to the back post where Victory powered his header past Warner.

The Robins piled on the pressure put Warner was equal to efforts from Vincent and Finnigan.

City regrouped and found an equaliser in the 67th minute after some clever thinking from Robinson. The midfielder took a quick freekick after a stoppage and Lee forced the ‘keeper into a weak punch, allowing Paul Parry to thump his shot into the top corner.

Bullock had a couple of chances to grab a much-needed victory but a draw was probably a fair result. Both managers can take positives from the game, but Lennie will be looking for a much-improved display against Racing Santander on Saturday. 233 City fans saw this one – there will be far more than that at Ninian park at the weekend.