Friendly: Glamorgan AFC Reserves 3-5 CSKA

CSKA Sophia Gardens began their pre-season friendly schedule with a satisfactory 5-3 win against Cardiff Combination League Division 1 side Glamorgan AFC Reserves.

The game saw CSKA line-up with a number of new faces and experimenting with a new formation as their off-season fixtures kicked off. Their opposition were an experienced from the division above in this season's league.

It appeared it might be a hard dose of reality after the first 15 minutes that saw Glamorgan AFC Reserves take a swift 2-0 lead. The first goal came when a ball over the top saw a mix-up between goalkeeper and defence for CSKA. This resulted in stand-in keeper Ceri Jones bringing down the Glamorgan AFC Reserves player in the box leaving the ref with no choice but to give a penalty. The resultant penalty was converted clinically.

Glamorgan AFC Reserves then doubled their lead in spectacular fashion when a move down their left side went unchallenged. This allowed the winger the opportunity to turn inside, line up a shot, and ping a stunning unstoppable strike into the top right corner of CSKA's net.

This second goal appeared to be the kick up the backside that CSKA needed. The Dragons started to increase the tempo and the inspiration for a comeback came in the form of the new arrival Corey Mackay who had come on as a right wing back after the first round of sub rotations. Mackay relentlessly chased the Glamorgan AFC Reserves defence down and won possession in the middle of the park. As the space opened up in front of him, Mackay put his head down and went on a mazy run somehow retaining possession despite several challenges coming in from the opposition. Mackay weaved his way into the opposition box before slotting a low driven left footed shot into the bottom right corner of the Glamorgan AFC Reserves net to make it 2-1.

Mackay was once again the architect just minutes later as the scores were level. The pacey wide man picked up the ball in the opposition half and played a lovely ball out wide to Aiden Martin who had pulled out onto the right flank. Martin then crossed in for Rich Hamlett who popped up to poke home from close range. 2-2.

Half-time came with the scores level and the second half began with Glamorgan AFC Reserves showing a renewed determination to regain their lead. Wave after wave of attack was repelled by the CSKA attack and as injuries began to hit with Mackay, Louis Boston, and Huw Williams all being forced off it seemed that the wheels were coming off for CSKA.

However, a moment of fortune struck. Striker Kris Dolby was chasing a ball in the Glamorgan AFC Reserves defence when an attempted clearance hit Dolby on the shoulder and flew into the opposition net to make it 3-2.

The score was soon 4-2 to CSKA. A well-timed through ball by Arron Ackerman released Dolby who beat the defensive line to break through and finish calmly past the on-rushing keeper.

It wasn't all plain sailing for CSKA as the game wore on. Glamorgan AFC Reserves continued to crank up the pressure. A few silly fouls in the final third from CSKA allowed their opponents a few opportunities to pull a goal back and that goal did come from one free-kick on the left side. A finely delivered ball from the free-kick ended up bouncing around before a well-hit finish from the edge of the area flew into the CSKA net leaving Jones with no chance. It was now 4-3 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Intensity levels increased as Glamorgan AFC Reserves searched for the equaliser but this is turn left gaps in their back-line. It was on a counter attack that saw CSKA seal the victory. Dolby found himself with the ball on the right side of the opposition area before he crossed in for left wing back Ed Lewis to finish from close range and confirm a 5-3 win.

CSKA Sophia Gardens Manager Steve Day said "This was the exact sort of game we needed to kick start our pre-season campaign. Glamorgan AFC Reserves provided stern opposition and we needed to be on our toes from the get go to avoid being on the wrong end of a bad result. They exposed some weaknesses we had and that's what we want right now.

He added "The new formation worked well and our general play was pleasing but we still felt our performance was, as we'd expect in a first pre-season game, littered with errors and a bit rusty. Still, the team display was better than we anticipated it might be and a few players made big statements about their claims for a first team spot this season. We're very proud of the lads today."

CSKA Starting Line-Up

GK: Ceri Jones DC: Owen Lewis DC: Craig Robertson

DC: Owen Kingsbury

RWB: Max Lapit

LWB: Ed Lewis

MC: Arron Ackerman

MC: Louis Boston

AM: Sam Byrne

FC: James Joyce

FC: Kris Dolby

Subs: Aiden Martin, Huw Williams, Rich Hamlett, and Corey Mackay

Goals: Kris Dolby (2), Rich Hamlett, Corey Mackay, and Ed Lewis

Assists: Kris Dolby, Aiden Martin, and Arron Ackerman

Three Stars: TBC