Chester City 2-0 Cardiff City - Match Report

Seals 2-0 City
By Chris O'Brien
July 22 2004

The Bluebirds' pre-season preparations opened in disappointment with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Football League newcomers Chester City infront of 1,080 at the Deva Stadium. Goals from Mike Sheron and Michael Branch were enough to give the Seals a deserved victory.

Lacklustre Bluebirds 'Sealed-Up' by Impressive Chester

Cardiff City kicked off their pre-season preparations with a thoroughly disappointing performance that saw City lose 2-0 at the Deva Stadium against an impressive looking Chester City side. The home side dominated throughout and took the lead moments before the half-time interval thanks to a cracking goal from Mike Sheron, with summer coup Michael Branch doubling the advantage in the second-half.

City took to the field with a first-choice line-up on show, but Lennie Lawrence opted to leave new signings Tony Warner and Robert Page out with Lee Bullock the only new acquisition to show the game. The £75,000 signing was joined in the middle of the park by Willie Boland, John Robinson and Paul Parry, playing behind strike duo Alan Lee and Robert Earnshaw. The four-man backline ahead of Martyn Margetson's goal was made up of James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon, Rhys Weston and Gary Croft.

Graham Kavanagh, believed to be struggling with fitness, was left out of the starting line-up but appeared later as a substitute. Tony Vidmar and Richard Langley did not travel with the squad after starting training late due to international commitments, and there was also no place in the match-day squad for Neil Alexander or Gareth Whalley further suggesting the duo could be on their way out of Ninian Park before the start of the Football League season in August.

Chester started the brighter of the two sides and attacked in numbers. The 1,080 in attendance, including just over 100 Bluebirds followers, witnessed some good play down the left flank from the Seals with Kevin McIntyre and Kevin Ellison combining on several occasions. However, despite the bright start from the hosts there was little in the way of goalmouth action and the game had very much a pre-season feel about it.

There were worrying scenes for the Cardiff faithful who had made the trip to Cheshire early on as left winger Paul Parry was forced to limp off after picking up a cut during play. The Welsh international was replaced by Chris Barker, forcing the Bluebirds to adopt a more defensive approach, and Parry will now be a doubt for City's visit to Easter Road to face Hibernian on Saturday.

Chester started to built in confidence and Cardiff's only attempt of note throughout the first-half was a half-hearted effort from Robert Earnshaw, although Alan Lee also had a shot on goal as the half drew to a close. At the other end, Martyn Margetson was called into action to save a free-kick from Kevin McIntyre, before brilliantly saving a 21st minute effort from Kevin Rapley following a defensive error from the Bluebirds backline. Margetson looked very solid during the 45 minutes he played, and it is clearly his intent to fight Tony Warner for the first choice jersey.

Mark Wright's side deservedly took the lead just before the break, with Mike Sheron opening the scoring with a brilliant goal. A long-range effort from Sheron flew into the top right hand corner leaving Margetson with no chance. The goal came about following more good work in the midfield from the hosts, an area where City struggled to compete against the Football League newcomers.

The game very much took a friendly feel as substitutions galore were made over half-time. Worryingly, it was Chester who made the bulk of the changes with 10 new faces being introduced for the second-half. Former Jack Stuart Roberts came on for the home side, which livened up the small travelling following a bit! Lennie Lawrence took things a little more seriously, with 5 changes at the break. Irish midfielder Graham Kavanagh replaced countrymen Willie Boland, with Andy Campbell, Peter Thorne and club debutants Tony Warner and Robert Page also coming on.

The second-half got underway at a slow pace with the new faces taking time to settle in to the game. Chester had a handful of half-chances but lacked the cutting edge to take advantage of the lacklustre Bluebirds. Substitute Michael Branch looked dangerous for City and after netting a brace for the Seals during a recent 3-0 friendly victory over Walsall, it is clear the former Wolves forward will be an excellent acquisition for the Third Division outfit.

On the hour mark Graham Kavanagh hit the woodwork with City's closest effort to goal all game. Andy Campbell's flick on saw the Republic of Ireland international sending a 25-yard drive towards goal only for it to clip the post. However, the linesman was flagging against the former Stoke City midfielder so the sensational effort wouldn't have counted anyway. Willie Boland was re-introduced to the game shortly afterwards replacing John Robinson, with the Welshman forced to depart with a knock.

The result was secured twenty minutes from time with Branch getting the winning goal for the Seals. Kevin McIntyre's short corner found former City target Ben Davies, who sent an accurate cross towards Branch who neatly volleyed the ball past Tony Warner from close range. It was another good move from Chester who will certainly have promotion on their minds when the league season gets underway.

Chester took their foot of the pedal with the game almost over as a contest and the last fifteen minutes saw City enjoy their best spell of the game. However, despite some good attacking play the Bluebirds failed to trouble Seals 'keeper Wayne Brown. Cardiff lacked drive but the 90 minutes of competitive football against a hungry Chester side was a good way to start the pre-season, but big improvements will be needed for a better result against Scottish Premier League outfit Hibernian at Easter Road this coming Saturday.

Full Time - Chester City 2-0 Cardiff City
Attendance - 1,080

Chester City: Brown (MacKenzie 46), Handyside (Hope 46), Vaughan (Edmondson 46), Hessey (Davies 46), Collins (Bolland 46), Weller (Drummond 46), McIntyre, Ellison (Roberts 46), Harris (Branch 46), Rapley (Belle 46), Sheron (Stamp 46 - Hessey 62).

Cardiff City: Margetson, Weston (Anthony 75), Croft, Boland (Kavanagh 46), Collins (Page 46), Gabbidon, Robinson (sub Boland 66), Bullock, Lee (Thorne 46), Earnshaw (Campbell 46), Parry (Barker 15).