Cardiff City news 31/03/01

Sat 31st Mar 2001 - Div 3 review

City have dropped to third place in Div three after Brighton secured a home win over Mansfield. Its not bad news though, main concern today was Harltlepool and they only managed a 1 - 1 home draw with Halifax. The Hartlepool goal courtesy of an own goal. That means they are 3 points behind us but we have 3 games in hand. Two of them to be played in the next 4 days. Victories over Cheltenham tomorrow and Barnet on Wednesday would put City within inches of promotion.

In fact City need 15 more points to secure promotion if Hartlepool win all thier matches. Hartlepool can only get 86 points maximum, City are on 71 so five wins would put the Bluebirds on the finish line. With a 23 goal advantage City could afford to let Hartlepool draw level and still be above them. Hartlepool will not will all of their games though, they play 5 of their matches against teams near the top of the table. While they are unbeaten in over 20 games they have only won half of their home games all season.

At the top Chesterfield dropped points again. They have picked up 2 points in 9. They are 11 points ahead of Cardiff and 8 points ahead of Brighton but they have played two games more than each team and they have to visit both the Withdean and Ninian Park. Chetesterfield only need 4 points to reach 86 points and promotion but the championship is not theirs yet. (Of course league action pending their results could become academic as they are expected to receive a huge points deduction).

Hartlepool are secure for a play off place but the scrap below them is fierce, 7 teams are challenging for the remaining three places.

At the bottom Torquay are holding up the football league despite a 1 - 1 draw today. Halifax drew at hartlepool and Lincoln's game at Rochdale was postponed. Barnet were beaten for the 12th time in a row away from home. The Bees are now loking forward to their next away game. Ninian Park this Wednesday.