More pre-season action, as The New Saints visit the Cardiff City Stadium

Match Report

For the second time in as many days, The New Saints were in pre-season action, travelling this time to the Welsh capital and Cardiff City FC.

Craig Harrison named an entirely different 11 to that which started the game at Hamilton last night, with only Jake Canavan, who made a late substitute appearance, the only player to feature in both matches.

The JD Cymru Premier champions made a bright start and with just five minutes gone, Chris Marriott forced Jak Alnwick into a save at the back post.

Six minutes later though, the opening goal went the way of Cardiff, when Callum Robinson beat the offside trap and fired low beneath Connor Roberts.

But just like that, The Saints were back on terms, as Danny Redmond sent a superb strike into the bottom corner after the ball fell fortuitously 25 yards from goal.

The sides continued to trade blows, and in the 19th minute, Mark McGuinness restored the hosts’ lead when he climbed high to head home a Sheyi Ojo cross.

With Cardiff making 11 changes at the break, The Saints faced a different challenge throughout the second-half, but still handled themselves with confidence against their English Championship opponents.

14 minutes from time, Jordan Williams had a golden chance to pull his side level, but after beating the covering defender to go 1v1 with the goalkeeper, mis-hit his effort, and it went wide of the far post.

The Bluebirds took advantage 10 minutes later, making the score 3-1 thanks to an Ollie Tanner strike which looped in off the outstretched boot of Danny Davies.

Harrison’s side face one final friendly challenge, Macclesfield FC away on Saturday, before the competitive season begins in earnest on the road in Sweden.

Starting line-up: Connor Roberts; Josh Daniels, Josh Pask, Danny Davies, Ryan Astles, Chris Marriott (Jake Canavan 77); Ben Clark, Leo Smith, Dan Williams, Danny Redmond; Jordan Williams