Report from Irish Sun
KURT NOGAN and Jason Bowen went closest for City in a game with little or
no goalmouth action at Richmond Park in Dublin on Thursday night. City boss Billy Ayre
made SIX changes at half-time and switched to a three centre-back formation following the
introduction of Jeff Eckhardt at the interval. Jon Hallworth, Paul Brayson, Mark Bonner,
Rob Earnshaw and Jason Bowen were also called into the action after the break and Earnshaw
made the biggest impact. Earnie was a real handful for the St Pat's defence, but Shay
Kelly kept a clean sheet against his former City team-mates.Nogan almost gave City the
lead on 20 minutes when he latched on to a sloppy pass back by St Pat's central defender
Stephen McGuinness, but his flick cleared Kelly and the bar. On 69 minutes, Earnie carved
a good opening for Bowen, but Bowen's shot flew just over from just outside the box. St
Pat's almost grabbed a winner with just a minute left.Former Mansfield player Martin
Garrett fired in a long range shot that had Hallworth well beaten and the Cardiff keeper
was relieved to see the ball fizz just inches wide.Earlier, a Garrett free-kick in the
71st minute forced a save from Hallworth.City started 4-4-2 with Matt Brazier operating at
left-back and Andy Legg just in front of him on the left side of midfield.Having been
substituted at half-time, Brazier was re-introduced to the action in the 69th minute as a
replacement for Legg, who was booked two minutes into the second-half by Dublin referee
David McKeon.Kevin Nugent started the match as captain.Just over 100 City fans attended
the match - City's third and final game of their tour of Ireland.Meanwhile, Jim Crawford
is reported to have signed for Shelbourne, who were beaten 3-1 by Norway's Rosenborg in
the Champions' League second round first leg qualifying tie at Tolka Park on Wednesday,
which was attended by a number of City fans.
Report from TotalWales.
CARDIFF CITY completed an unbeaten three-match trip to Ireland last night, earning
a goalless draw at Richmond Park, Dublin.
Former Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Seamus Kelly played for
Pats and kept a clean sheet against a City team who have worked hard over a short period
this week.
They drew 1-1 against Bohemians, won 3-1 against Longford
Town and then earned last night’s draw.
City took a 19-man squad for matches against some of
Ireland’s best teams and they play a fourth match in five days when Swindon Town
visit Ninian Park tomorrow.
Russell Perrett sat out last night’s game with a slight
muscle strain, while Danny Hill’s knee injury is still troubling him.
Paul Brayson went on after 45 minutes last night, having
shaken off a back injury, in his first appearance of the pre-season matches. |
