Report: Ashley James

Cardiff were made to work hard for a well earned single goal victory over Plymouth Argyle today in a behind close doors friendly at Ninian Park. In a pleasing performance by the Bluebirds reserves highly rated youngster Aaron Ramsey gave a quietly impressive display in the centre of midfield, as did Riccardo Scimeca who came through an encouraging 45 minutes.

The solitary goal came early on through City Captain Bradley Middleton, who snuck in behind the Argyle defence off a free kick to poke the ball home at the back post. It was a deserved reward for such a positive Cardiff start and an overall resoundingly solid display from Middleton at the back.

In truth Cardiff had opportunities for a result of greater margin and should have been two-up within half-hour. A strong surging run came from Ramsey who created the room with which to feed Matt Green who with his back to goal turned and shot in one swift movement, his low strike seemed destined for the bottom corner. However it instead rebounded of the bottom of the far-post straight back into the grateful hands of the Pilgrims 'keeper.

Despite the better of the opening period Plymouth could have gone in level at the half but for a neat piece of defending from Bluebirds centre-half Anthony Achempong. With an Argyle striker bearing down on goal Achempong stretched out a leg for a goal-saving tackle. Seconds later he was again in the thick of the action as Plymouth finally did have the ball in the back of the net - however the City defender was adjudged to have been felled during the build-up, much to his relief.

Half Time: Cardiff 1 - 0 Plymouth

Cardiff once again started the second half brightly and created a double scoring chance in the opening minutes. Striker Jon Brown first capitalized on a Plymouth defensive error, but as he manoeuvred in on goal the visiting 'keeper reacted well to smother the ball at the near post. From the resulting corner a front-post flick on found Middleton unmarked at the back stick but with the goal seemingly at his mercy his header ended up sailing well over the bar.

Minutes later the Pilgrims once again had their goalkeeper to thank for the deficit remaining at just the one goal. Another beautifully weighted Ramsey pass split the visiting defence and found Brown in space in behind, but instead of taking the shot early Brown opted to take the ball round the 'keeper who stood his ground well, his hand combined with a great defensive tackle that ensured they escaped the situation without any further punishment.

As the pace of the game lulled Plymouth started to get on top slightly and had two good chances which would have given them the lead, Michael Oakes on one occasion reacting well to push away a vicious first-time strike on the other luck intervened to ensure Cardiff remained on top. A Plymouth forward rose well in front of Oakes off a corner, the knock-down caused panic in the Cardiff area however; somehow the ball was scrambled wide and safe.

The final chance of the match fittingly fell to Cardiff and to sub Sam Wade, fresh of the bench Wade chested down a Matt Green flick-on with his first touch and flicked the ball past the out-charging 'keeper, unfortunately his effort squirmed wide of the right-hand post to prevent what would have been a goal of immense quality.

Full Time: Cardiff 1 - 0 Plymouth