June Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

City line up. Team. Hallworth, Middleton, Legg, Eckhardt, Young (Fowler), Jarman, Boland, Hill, Carpenter, Bowen, Thomas.

Subs not used. Brazier, Williams, Kelly (they were the ones I saw, they may have been others).

Report by NIgelBlues.

What a result, what a scoreline!! But just as nobody was too down after a 6-1 defeat in Scotland, don't get too carried away with an 8-3 win.

Nobody can complain about City scoring 8 goals in any game and the midfield and attacking football, second half especially, was exceptional. This will hopefully further build the morale and good feeling around Ninian Park.

However it was the proverbial game of two halves as Cardiff were quite shocking in the first half with the defence was an absolute shambles against a lucklustre and ordinary looking Bath side although the standard of City's play had much to do with this too.

It nearly started disastrously as a Bath forward was clear on goal after a defence splitting foward pass in the first minute, Hallworth made a good save. Cardiff settled and took the lead on 5 minutes after Middleton and Carpenter exchanged passes, Craig Middleton whipped in a far post cross. Scott Young met it on the 6 yard box and seemed to mishead across goal but it found Jason Bowen who turned the ball into an empty net.

All looked comfortable. City were playing good passing football, Dai Thomas blazed a couple of chances but then Scott Young went off with a leg injury. Hopefully it is not serious but he did not look happy as he limped away very
slowly. Bizarrely, Jason Fowler came on as substitute and played centre half.

The rest of the half was a shambles and City conceded 3 goals in 15 minutes. The first was a lob over Hallworth from 20 yards from another ball behind the back three. Next was a clearence across goal that was resulted in a mishit shot and then another defensive mess cost a third goal. On the stroke of half-time, Willie Boland made it 3-2 with a low header palaced past the Bath goalkeeper.

It was a frienly and a few likely first teamers were missing but the display at the back in particular was deeply worrying. 3-5-2 looked good in Division 3 with generally slow forwards but can City get away with it in Division 2?

On the plus side, Carpenter, Middleton and Boland all put in strong performances.

H/T Bath 3 City 2 (a "goal fest" according to the tannoy announcer!)

The "goal fest" continued in the second half but it was the introduction of Danny Hill that seemed to change the game. He looked strong, confident, full of running and it seemed to get the rest of the team believing again as everything suddenly clicked with Bowen, Boland, Legg and Co destroying Bath.

Within minutes of the restart, it was one way traffic and City were forging ahead. Bowen equalised after what seemed like goalmouth action where City players wnated to pass rather than shoot. Danny Hill scored a classy goal
after nutmegging ex-Swansea player Mark Clode (who was reminded of his "roots" a few times) and then steering the ball throught the keeper's legs. Bowen made it 5-3 with a one on one.

Bath were ragged as Cardiff looked a supremely fit team. At times, Cardiff were so slick, it seemed that we had a few extra players.

Bath got frustrated and their peroxide blonde midfielder got niggly with Carpenter. So much so that the ref went to Stevie White White White, now Bath's assistant manager, and asked for him to be substituted rather than sent off. White argued and the ref then carried on! Bath's manager Paul Bodin played and did not find life any easier, particularly as City fans kept reminding him whose fault it was that Wales didn't go to USA'94!

6-3 (and the first set to Cardiff) and Boland's hat-trick came from the penalty spot. It did appear that Dai Thomas was to be the openalty taker but he allowed Boland to complete his hat-trick. He didn't seem to have much choice as Boland grabbed the ball as soon as the penalty was awarded, placed it on the spot and faced up to it before looking at Dai!

7-3 and two hat-tricks in one game by City players (when was the last time that happened in any match?) was a deserved hat-trick for Jason Bowen who chased a ball and slotted home as kleeper and defence got in a mess.

8-3 was possibly the best finish other than Hill's as Boland fed Bowen on the wing and then charged into the area to glance a header home from 10 yards.

There were still more than 10 minutes left but despite efforts from Eckhardt and Thomas a couple of times each and a couple of good saves, double figures weren't reached.

City were, naturally, cheered off the pitch and deserved it for the second half show which was several classes above anything Bath were capable of. The passing and movement were exceptional at times.

Still hard to judge but there is no doubt that City are an extremely attractive footballing side who are going to be great to watch this season. Defensively, there seem to be worries and attack isn't the strongest either. Dai Thomas, looking fitter and much leaner, sadly didn't take his opportunity brilliantly. Only one shot on target in the whole match and he didn't really create or assist in goals either but he worked hard.

The midfield is strong and Boland will be a huge favourite. Let's hope the injuries clear up as a few players were missing tonight and all will be needed for August 7.

Overall, poor first half, tremendous second half, good signs and bad signs but still more to be happy about than unhappy come the final whistle.