Koge Boldklub 2-2 Cardiff City - Match Report

Robert Earnshaw was the hero as the Bluebirds kicked off their pre-season tour of Scandinavia with a 2-2 draw against recently relegated Danish side Koge Boldklub.

The Zambian-born striker showed some of his form from the early part of last season, with a brace of goals, including a superb first half volley.

City started the game with no new faces in the line-up, but former Glasgow Rangers defender Tony Vidmar was on the bench. With Peter Thorne still in the UK, missing the trip through injury, playoff hero Andy Campbell and Robert Earnshaw started up front.

It was the home side who took the lead on a sun-drenched pitch, from the penalty spot, following Willie Boland's challenge on striker Tommy Ollsen.

Boland was adjudged to have brought down Ollsen, and the referee showed no hesitation in awarding the home side a penalty, which was fired home by Allan Neilsen on the 15 minute mark.

The goal gave City a much needed lift, and gradually the Bluebirds started to take control of the game, with long periods of possession, and deservedly got themselves on level terms.

With 30 minutes on the clock, Willie Boland made up for giving away the early spot kick, by playing a neat cross to Rob Earnshaw who powered home a superb volley.

Earnshaw could have given City the lead before half-time with a number of chances, but the two sides went in level at the break.

Half Time - Koge Boldklub 1-1 Cardiff City

City continued to have the better of the game in the early part of the second half, with Mark Bonner and Andy Campbell both going close in the early exchanges.

City's pressure paid off, with Robert Earnshaw securing his brace with a neat finish, after latching onto a through ball from Gareth Whalley.

City were in firm control, and the defence was easily dealing with all Koge attacks.

It was on the hour mark that Lawrence began to make a number of substitutions, with Gary Croft, Gavin Gordon, Tony Vidmar and Layton Maxwell all coming on in the space of 10 minutes.

The substitutes struggled to keep up with the tempo of the game, and Koge began to play the better football, and after a long spell of pressure they drew level.

Henrik Madsen strolled through a huge gap in the City defence, and easily slot the ball passed Neil Alexander in the City goal.

Lawrence introduced Jason Bowen and James Collins for the last ten minutes, but neither made a big impact.

Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, and the game finished a 2-2 draw, which must be looked on as a fair result for both sides.

City are a better side than Koge, and should really have been able to beat the side who were recently relegated from the Danish top flight, still it was only the first friendly game, and the game will help many of the players on their way to returning to match fitness.

Full Time - Koge Boldklub 2-2 Cardiff City

Koge Boldklub - Jimmi Klitland  (Thomas Nielsen 45), Søren Nielsen, Ole Mogensen ( 65Casper Grønn), Mads Olsen, Morten Nielsen (Christian Pedersen 74), Lars Møller (Daniel Bærenholdt 65), Allan Nielsen, Henrik Madsen, Kenneth Fuhr Pedersen (Martin Olesen 60), Tommy Olsen, Anders Clausen (Rune Leth Pedersen 60).
Unused Subs: None

Cardiff City - Neil Alexander, Rhys Weston (Gary Croft 56), Spencer Prior (James Collins 77), Daniel Gabbidon (Tony Vidmar 62), Mark Barker, Willie Bonner (Layton Maxwell 66), Graham Kavanagh, Willie Boland, Andrew Campbell (Gavin Gordon 56), Robert Earnshaw (Jason Bowen 80), Gareth Whalley.
Unused Subs: Margetson.

Earnshaw's form towards the end of last season was dissapointing, but he showed that he is ready and raring to go for life in Division One with an excellent display in Sweden.

He took his brace very well, and the goals will give him a confidence boost.
 

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