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| Sat 20th Jan 2001 - Cardiff City 4 - 1 Plymouth. Report. | |||
| January Headlines |
Wow. 5 goals, 3 sendings off. Nearly a 4th dismissal as well. Lets start off with a time line of the incidents, then I'll go into more detail. 8 mins. McCarthy sent off for violent
conduct. The game burst into life after only 8 mins. Sean McCarthy, the striker who scored both goals aginst City at Home Park less than a month ago was was sent off after appearing to lash out at Scott Young. Young went down and McCarthy went off. Plymouth then as you would expect had to defend deep and rely on breakaways. But City for all the possession continued to overplay and end up losing the ball. The game stats show 22 attempts at goal, most of them would have been in the second half as City seemed shy in front of goal in the first. But then one of those sublime moments, Earnie was left on the bench today, Corky went for a line up with Leo the only recognised striker. But on 36 mins Gabbidon was brought off and Earnshaw came on. City were waiting to take a corner at the time, Earnie ran into the box, the corner came over and was knocked back out to James Harper, he steadied himself and put over the perfect cross for Earnie to latch onto and fire City into the lead, his first touch. 1 - 0 to City at half time but considering they played most of the half against 10 men it should have been more convincing. The second half was barely 5 mins old when one of Plymouth's rare breaks saw the Pilgrims score an equaliser. Stonebridge got his head to a cross and the ball went in off the post. Only 5 mins later and the game took a new twist. Plymouth at this time were defending stoutly and City were being frustrated in their efforts. But then the balloon went up, McGlinchey took out James Harper and was on his way for a second bookable offence but before the ref could get to him Harper stood up and kicked out at McGlinchey. It was a moment of madness and a harsh lesson for the 20 year old. But he was wrong and deserved his red card, he walked first in front of a silent Ninian Park, he was followed seconds later by McGlinchey who departed to 9,000 voices singing cheerio. City then stepped up their efforts, there was plenty of space on the pitch and whenever Matt Brazier or Josh Low got the ball there was danger. Andy Legg again played like an 18 year old. The guy is like Peter Pan. City were dominating the game but with the score still 1 - 1 there were still nerves. The pressure was lifted on 69 mins when Leo made no mistake with a header when the ball sat up nicely for him. City then were able to exert more pressure on Plymouth, as I sat watching (I suppose last weeks late goal at Southend still gave me the jitters) I was uncomfortable that we would shoot ourselves in the foot. I saw it last week and after seeing City have several late comebacks this season I knew that the game could still go either way, I had an uneasy feeling. But Rob Earnshaw is a tonic, not only did he make me feel a damn site better he lit up Ninian Park again when he used his pace and finishing finese to put the game beyond doubt. Earnie struck home from an acute angle and sent the fans into raptures and caused the Plymouth fans to start to leave en masse. Just before that Friio the Plymouth midfielder was sent off and then re called to the pitch when it was realised he was booked for the first time. If the heart had been well tested during the 90 minutes then the antedote to the stress suffered was administered by Scott (McManaman) McCulloch. At 13 odd stone, build like the proverbial brick out house and hard as nails the substitute on for the in-affective Boland took the ball in the Plymouth half, beat at least 4 players (this will get more as the tale is told through the years) and finished with aplomb with the last kick of the game. I've not seen the TV replay of it yet but I've no doubt the touch and balance he showed in scoring the goal will be one of the wonders of the season. So a 4 - 1 scoreline. Probably flattered City but hell we are unbeatable in the league at Ninian Park. That was the 9th straight league win at Fortress Ninian. James Harpers moment of madness apart another great day for CCFC. One last word for Wayne O'Sullivan. WayneO had a good cheer when his name was announced at the start and a clap when he was subbed. During the game Leggy had the better of him but I have a lot of time for Wayne and I wish him well. |
Copyright Michael Morris 2000.