Bulls undone by experienced Cardiff side

SeeBlocker watched today's game for Bulls News

Today saw an experienced Cardiff development side beat the Bulls 2-0 at Edgar Street today. Cardiff fielded a strong starting 11 with 428 1^st team appearances between them as well as 5 international players.

Cardiff started the encounter with a fine shot from Nicky Maynard who spent most of last season out injured. The chance came from a throw in and after run into the 18 yard box the powerful shot was well saved by Evans.

Michael Rankine Fails To Connect With a Cross From Dan Walker

With 21 minutes on the clock, a pass from international Kiss, to winger Harris saw his experience shine as he beat two Hereford defenders before taking a shot. The shot beat the diving Evans to put Cardiff one up.

Cardiff Keeper Lewis Easily Holds A Shot From Dan Walker

In the 27th minute, some good work by James and Rankine in the centre of the midfield, sent Smith on his way to make a good run up the wing. His shot was deflected for a corner. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to the feet of Graham who scuffed his shot wide when well placed.

Goalscorer Harris received the ball on the left, he then cut inside and played the ball into the box, which was well intercepted by Artus, but, unfortunately fell to Maynard who slotted the ball home.

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HT: Hereford 0 – 2 Cardiff

O’Keefe replaced Artus at the start of the second period.  A long ball from Leadbitter found James who quickly passed to Walker but his shot went well over.

After 16 minutes of the second half, Foyle made 2 more changes with Purdie and Sharp coming on for Pilkington and Smith.

Sharp got on the end of long ball from Leadbitter but his shot was weak and was gathered easily by Cardiff’s keeper, when a pass to well placed Purdie would’ve been a better option.

The Bulls kept pushing forward and O’Keefe got into 2 good goalscoring positions but could not quite get the touch that was needed.

Cardiff, who passed the ball well throughout, had a good move with the ball which found Harris, his shot was well tipped over by Evans.

Chris Sharp With The Ball

A great chance followed after good work by Rankine who laid the ball into the path of Sharp whose explosive half-volley hit the post.

The last real chance for Hereford came after referee Morris granted Hereford a free kick. Bush played the ball into the box but the ball went harmlessly for out for a goal kick.

FT: Hereford 0 – 2 Cardiff

Att: 771 with 30 travelling fans.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad performance by Hereford against what was probably the strongest side they’ve met preseason, but work still needs to be done in the final third.

Hereford United: Evans, Leadbitter, Graham, McDonald, Bush, Walker, Artus, James, Pilkington, Smith, Rankine.

Subs: Lloyd-Weston, Collins, Purdie, O'Keefe, Sharp. 

Cardiff City: Lewis, McNaughton, Lappin, Kiss, Calvet, Connolly, Harris, O'Sullivan, Velikonja, Maynard, Conway. 

Subs: Owen, J. Bell, Oshilaja, Coulson, Williams, Bowen, Wharton, Healey. 

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