Cardiff Show Their Class

Brad Wade Tips A Curtis Nelson Shot Over The Bar

On a muggy day with occasional light rain Hereford entertained Cardiff Under 23s on a pitch looking close to perfect. With 1220 in attendance and 65 from Cardiff Hereford started with:

Wade; Hodgkiss (c), Haines, Pendley, Latty-Fairweather; Durojaiye, Hale, Lloyd, Storey; Barnett, McDermot. 

Cardiff had three trialists and a defence all with first team experience with both centre backs having played over 30 games for Cardiff last season. Cardiff started strongly and were the better team throughout, their organisation showed the benefit of full time training and the smattering of players with first team experience made for a challenging afternoon with left back McGuinness an Irish Under 21 regular catching the eye.

Two trialists for Hereford were named. Hale a central midfielder floated around showing good control, picking out some good passes and a skill set which was a combination of Zeli Ismael and Maz Kouhyar. He certainly looked promising and comfortable at this level.

McDermot was the mystery number 17 who had scored five goals in two substitute appearances against lower level opposition. He had a difficult afternoon being marked by Championship regulars. He was caught offside but still came alive around the box and fired in when he could, but with better defenders his efforts were blocked. 

 

Further back he struggled to make an impact with a heavy touch, and poor control at times. He looks a lot rawer than Ryan McLean did when he joined. Burr and Gowling have considerably improved Ryan and McDermot could be worth investing some training in as confidence and comfort in and around the box make for a good starting point.

Pendley looked solid in central defence which was reassuring as Haines suffered a nasty injury just before half time. Although he bravely continued after several minutes treatment he was substituted for Lilly at half time.

Cardiff's first goal came from a Hereford attack. Storey robbed a Bluebird and advanced on the left. He got a cross in which was partly cleared and came to Hodgkiss on the right in space. Cardiff quickly pressed Jared and nicked the ball away but Wade coming out looked to have the situation covered. Brad went to clear, but Crole was close and charged the ball down and strolled the ball into the net. This was an unforced error by Wade. The goal demonstrated how effective Cardiff's press was and several times it troubled the Bulls.

Cardiff's single goal lead at half time was well deserved. Centre back Nelson was impressive and Barnett did not get much change from him and was substituted for a trialist early in the second half. McDermot and Durojaiye also went off for McLean and another trialist. Cardiff and Hereford both made several more substitutions Summers at full back looking better against the higher class opponents than he had done at Coalville. He was less adventurous going forward and made one very good block. 

Cardiff continued to have the better of the game and they deservedly doubled their lead when Leahy headed home a cross in loads of space in the box between Pendley and Lilly. Osment who had come on for Wade had no chance. 

Hereford struggled to score enough goals last season and this game was in similar vein. However, the Championship experience of the Bluebirds backline made this a tough challenge. Hereford kept working but were ultimately outclassed.