November
Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

City look set to ring the changes for tonights AutoWindscreen Shield clast against Northampton at Sixfields. Jorn Schwinkendorf is set to make his City debut. Mike Ford is reported to be carrying an injury and will not travel. Also absent will be Andy Legg who is serving a one match ban for picking up 5 yellow cards. It has also been reported that Jeff Eckhardt and Mark Bonner may be rested.

Tony Vaughan is not available to play but Richie Humphreys is. This means that Vaughan only has the match against Merthyr next week before his loan period expires.

The competition sees the trial of a new 10 yard rule. If a free kick is awarded and the opposition show dissent, kick or throw the ball away or fail to retreat 10 yards then a further 10 yard punishment is metered out. The ball will be moved 10 yards forward in a direct line with the centre of the goal. This can happen right upto the edge of the 6 yard box. If for example a free kick is awarded 20 yards out and an infingement occurs then the ball will be placed 10 yards from goal. It will still be a free kick (direct or indirect) and the wall will be placed on the goal line.

Now this cup has been ridiculed in the past and the attendances will show its not a high priority for the fans but my view is that City are playing and I want thm to win. Realistically this is the only chance the club has of getting to Wembley in the near future. It must be taken seriously.

The last time Cardiff played at Sixfields was in 1997. We lost 3 - 2 on the night and 4 - 2 on agg in the 1996 / 1997 play off semi finals. Northampton have one their last four games at Sixfields and will be no pushover.

Cardiff do not have the best of records in this competition. In 1996 / 97 we were beaten in the second round at Ninian Park by Exeter. The game finished 1 - 1 but the Grecians won 4 - 2 on penalties, we won the first round game 2 - 1 at Gillingham. The following season 1997 / 98 we were beaten in the first round at Ninian Park by Millwall, the score 2 - 0. Deja Vu in 98 / 99 only this time Millwall beat us 2 - 0 at the New Den. One of the scorers 12 months ago a certain Neil Harris who put us to the sword last Saturday.