HI RES ECFC Issue 05 Cardiff_Arsenal U21s - Flipbook - Page 4
CARDIFF
CITY
Cardiff City turn their attentions to Vertu
Trophy matters after a successful start to
life in Sky Bet League One under new boss
Brian Barry-Murphy.
The Bluebirds are unbeaten in seven matches,
banking 17 points along the way, and arrive at St
James Park on the back of rescuing a late draw at
fellow promotion hopefuls Stockport County on
Saturday.
Pushing their prospective title charge to one side
for the evening, Cardiff launch a first EFL Trophy
campaign for 23 years with their last efforts played
out in 2002/03 where they ironically met the
Grecians in the Second Round of the Southern
Section.
It was a triumphant Devon venture for the
Bluebirds on that November night in 2002 with
three second-half goals sealing progression to
the Quarter-Finals despite then-manager Lennie
Lawrence making 11 changes to the starting XI.
4 The Grecian
Previous meetings in general across all
competitions have produced six Bluebirds
victories in 13 with three Exeter wins and four
draws – with the last league clash coming in
January 2001 when Cardiff ran out 6-1 victors in
the Welsh capital.
Back to the present day and Barry-Murphy has
overseen a summer of transformation at Cardiff
City Stadium in the wake of relegation from the
Sky Bet Championship last time around.
Significantly reducing the average age of the
squad, his young side have been widely tipped
for success and you can understand exactly why
based on their August form – earning recognition
in the shape of the League One Manager of the
Month award.
19-year-old defender Dylan Lawlor was also
named EFL Young Player of the Month, playing a
key part in four consecutive clean sheets.
