blueball.gif (262 bytes) Thurs 31st January 2002 - Brighton 1 - 0 Cardiff City. Match report.
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City blew the chance of edging towards the play off places by failing to score against a Brighton side that were second best for long periods. To cap it all Leo FW was sent off in the 90th minute for a second bookable offence. Leo is already suspended for next Tuesday's game at Bournemouth, He faces another suspension now as well.

2,461 watched at Ninian Park as City lost for the 4th consecutive game on the big screen.

If anything City could have been criticised for overplaying in the first half, with a swirling wind behind our backs only one direct shot on target forced the dodgy looking Kuipers into a save.

Kuipers had the last laugh as when we did take shots in the second half he was more than up to them and made several fine saves. Two to note from Hamilton and Bowen. Leo broke free and chipped Kuipers and the cross bar.

City must have had 75% of the play but it was Brighton who scored the only goal. Nathan Jones was alleged to have been fouled by Rhys Weston in the box after 14 mins and Bobby Zamora scored his 25th of the season by sending Alexander the wrong way.

City upped the tempo in the second half but for all the possession and half chances created you just knew the ball was not going into the Brighton net.

The stats show that City had 10 goal attempts to Brighton's 6. We had 9 corners to their 1. But they take the points and move towards a possible automatic promotion. We have to sharpen up to get into the play offs.

There was no place for Peter Thorne, not even on the bench as City started with Leo FW and Jason Bowen upfront. Layton Maxwell played behind the front two although it looked like Leo was the lone striker as Bowen moved around. Kav, Bonner and Boland sat deep, and as usual when Kav sits deep City struggle.

The back four of Gabbidon, Weston, Young and Legg were hardly troubled.

Next Tuesday we must get Earnie and Peter Thorne back in the team. The failure of our strikers to score in over a month is a millstone that must be worn by Alan Cork for not bringing in cover for Peter Thorne. Gavin Gordon failed to make a mark when he had the chance and Leo for all his efforts tonight was let down when he received little support. He's not pretty but he battled well tonight and I thought his sending off was harsh.

Frustration is the word for tonight. Possession for long periods, pressure, composure, all attributed to Cardiff City until it came to making it count in and around the box.

There are still 51 points to play for but we must go for the kill. How many times have we let teams off the hook. We need to get ruthless in front of goal.

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Copyright Michael Morris 2002.