Friendly: Bristol Rovers 1 - 2 Cardiff City

Last updated : 30 August 2020 By Michael Morris

The Bluebirds made the short trip over the bridge on Friday to face Bristol Rovers in a game that saw four 35 minute 'halves' of football.

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The first two periods ended with Cardiff leading 1 - 0 thanks to Aden Flints stunning header. With the sides changing over Rovers levelled in the 105th minute through Tomlinson's deflected effort.

But Robert Glatzel popped up with a winning goal in the 125th minute tapping in from close range after the Rovers keeper could only parry Leandro Bacuna's shot.

There was also game time for Greg Cunningham, back on the pitch over 10 months since a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury while on loan at Blackburn.

First match: Smithies (Day), Osei-Tutu, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett, Hoilett, Vaulks, D'Almeida (Bowen), Evans, Paterson, Moore.

Second match: Etheridge, Bagan, Flint, Bamba, Cunningham (Margetson), Whyte, Bacuna, Pack, Murphy, Harris, Glatzel.

"The match was always going to be about minutes in the legs, not so much about performances," said Neil Harris.

"Both teams played 35 minutes each half and it was about getting through with no injuries. 

"We played 40 minutes last Saturday against ourselves, 50 minutes against Newport and 70 against Bristol Rovers, so we're really pleased with the minutes that we got in the group.

"The message to the players is that we had a fantastic post-lockdown, and from February onwards really. Let's carry our momentum on and use it with the quality that we've got in the side.

"The lads are fit; they are getting the rhythm back in their play and we've brought the young lads into things, learning the patterns.

The boss added: "A special mention to Greg for his first minutes back. There was a round of applause in the changing room from the players for him."