Cardiff City vs Charlton Athletic. Match Preview.

Last updated : 01 August 2003 By Matthew Gabb
Tonight is obviously a special night for a certain Scott Young. The 27 year old centre back has clocked up 340 appearances for the Bluebirds since making his debut in a 3-1 home win over Stockport on 6 November 1993. Tonight he will be hoping for a bumper crowd for his testimonial match as City take on Lennie Lawrence's former team Charlton.

Tickets are still available at last season's prices from the ticket office - see www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk for details.

The injury problems haven't gone away. Peter Thorne and Gary Croft are still both definite non starters, but word is that John Robinson may be able to play at least some part against his former side. The ex-Wales international played at Charlton for over a decade before being granted a free transfer in the summer. Graham Kavanagh and Gareth Whalley both missed the 5-1 win at Cheltenham in the week due to minor injuries and will hope to play a part tonight.

After the shennanigans at Whaddon road, where Lawrence switched from a 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 as the evening progressed, it will be interesting to see what he does tonight. Clearly the opposition tonight are of good quality, and I expect City to take the game very seriously, in preparation for the first game of the division 1 season next Saturday. I would expect this to be the final full first team friendly, with the game at Forest Green next Tuesday seeing a City side containing a mix of fringe players, reserves and youth players.

City (from) Alexander, Margetson, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Weston, Prior, Collins, Barker, Boland, Bonner, Kavanagh, Bowen, Maxwell, Whalley, Robinson, Earnshaw, Gordon, Campbell, Fleetwood.

Kick off is at 7.45pm.

The reserve/youth team travel to the South West tomorrow to take on Tiverton Town (kick off 3pm).

First reaction to tonight's match will be on the message board, with report to follow.


Preview on Charlton Athletic's official site here.