Saturday 27th February
1999
ROCHDALE 1 - 1 CARDIFF CITY. Match report.
City earned a creditable draw at
Rochdale but the performance overall was poor. The point earned has kept us top of the
table but only just. In the end City finished the stronger team and could have snatched a
win but a draw was a fair result.
Friday 26th February 1999
Rochdale preview.
City aim to stay top of the table with a win at Rochdale tomorrow. The
last 4 away matches have only produced 1 point and City have not won away from Ninian Park
since a 2 - 0 victory at Scunthorpe on December 12th. The combinations are endless
tomorrow, a win for City and defeats for Cambridge and Brentford could see City with a six
point lead. On the other hand defeat for City with Cambridge winning could see our 3 month
stint at the top come to an end. Lets be positive though. City will be without skipper
Mike Ford (Jeff Eckhardt will continue to deputise), Mike has recovered from his calf
injury but now needs another week to get over a groin strain. Jason Bowen is also
unavailable after a training ground injury to his ankle sustained in a challenge with
Wayne O'Sullivan (Wayne planning to crock the competition so he gets back in maybe).
This match is the start of a run that sees play seven matches in the next three
weeks, eight matches by the end of March (seven of which are league games). A winning run
in the next month will surely take us to the brink of promotion.
Tuesday 23rd February 1999
SOUTHERN JUNIOR FLOODLIT CUP RD 2.
PORTSMOUTH yth 0 - 0 CITY yth.
A great result for the youngsters at
Fratton Park last night. Frank Burrows watched his youth team earn a replay against the
first division boys. The replay will be at Ninian Park probably next Monday March 1st.
Earnshaw / Roberts / Stoker.
Rob Earnshaw played for Middlesboro youth last weekend and by all
accounts made a good show of himself. He is hoping to move up to The Middlesboro reserve
team and play in a Pontins League match against Transmere on Wednesday.
Chris Roberts played for
Scarboro reserves last week and is hoping to play again this week. He is allowed to make
two reserve team appearances but then must make a legitimate loan move before he can play
again for them in any capacity.
Gareth Stoker played the full
90 minutes in midfield for Rochdale last Saturday. Dale beat Scunthorpe (one of City's
promotion rivals) 1 - 0 at Glanford Park to do the Bluebirds a huge favour, as you would
expect Gareth earned himself a booking. Rochdale are in action again tonight in the
AutoWindscreen trophy. Stoker cannot play for Rochdale against Cardiff this weekend
though. A clause in the loan deal does not allow him to play against the Bluebirds.
One booking away from suspension.
Jeff Eckhardt, Jason Fowler, Dai Thomas, Graham Mitchell, Richard Carpenter and
Andy Legg are all still on four bookings so one more this weekend would mean an automatic
one match ban. No City players were booked against Halfifax.
Saturday 20th February 1999
Rivals fail to make an impact.
Todays Division 3 program was kind to Cardiff. Second placed Cambridge
went down 2 - 0 at Orient and more surprisingly 3rd placed Scunthorpe fell to a 1 - 0 home
defeat by next weeks opponents Rochdale. City remain 3 points clear at the top.
Friday 19th February 1999
CARDIFF CITY 1 - 1 HALIFAX. Match report.
City dropped two home points tonight but
extend the lead at the top of the table to three points.
Mark Delaney.
There have been several press reports today that Arsenal are preparing to
launch a £1million bid for Mark Delaney. Frank Burrows has said Arsenal have not made
contact but he would have to listen to any offer. The speculation surrounding Delaney
continues. Earlier reports of interest in him have come to nothing. We have to wait again
to see what comes of this speculation.
Wednesday 17th February 1999
Site will not be updated from now until
until Saturday evening.
Cardiff live on SKY.
The clash at Ninian Park v Swansea on April 18th 1999 will be televised
live by SKY SPORTS. Cardiff will be hoping for a better result this season. The
corresponding fixture last season was broadcast live by SKY with Swansea winning 1 - 0.
Tickets for the FAW match v Swansea are now on sale at Ninian Park. Ticket office
telephone numbers are on the front page.
Early Halifax team news.
City welcome back Kevin Nugent, Wayne O'Sullivan and Craig Middleton to
the squad that lost at Barnet last week. Mark Delaney is making good progress and may be
available after injury. It is too soon though for Mike Ford. He is still a week or so away
from fitness. City have to win the match to ensure remaining top of the division. Closest
rivals Cambridge travel to Leyton Orient on Saturday and would overtake City if they were
to win and we were not to win on Friday.
Roberts / Stoker.
Chris Roberts is not actually on loan at Scarborough yet. Under league rules he can
play two reserve games for them. The first he played in yesterday, the second will be next
week. Then Scarborough will decide if they want to make him an official loan player.
Gareth Stoker has signed a loan deal with Rochdale for 1 month. The player is still
hoping for a permanent move. There is a clause in the loan deal that Gareth cannot play
against us on Feb 27th.
Tuesday 16th February 1999
Roberts / Stoker movements.
Chris Roberts is on loan at Scarborough. Frank Burrows has said Christian
will be back at Ninian Park he is just helping them out. The length of the loan is not yet
determined.
I have had confirmation that Gareth Stoker is trying to tie up a
deal with Rochdale. Gareth is looking to move back North to be nearer his family.
Ticket office.
The ticket office is current seliing ticket for this Fridays home game
with Halifax and for the ALL TICKET match with Rochdale. The game v Swansea on March 2nd
will be ALL TICKET and they should go on sale with the next 7 days.
Monday 15th February 1999
Cardiff City reserves 2 - 1 Exeter
reserves.
City. S Kelly, Cadette, Skelly, Jarman, Davies, Thomas, Bonner, O'Sullivan, Bowen,
Nugent, Middleton. Subs. Loveless, P Kelly, Harris, Higginson.
Jason Bowen grabbed a goal in each half
to give the reserves a victory at Ninian Park this afternoon. City had gone a goal down
thanks to an effort by Qualey after 30 seconds of the match. City though came back to
secure victory with Bowen getting the glory. Mark Bonner played for 1 hour as was
predetermined before the game.
6 players on a suspension tightrope.
City clearly suffered the loss of 3 players last Saturday v Barnet. Kevin
Nugent, Wayne O'Sullivan and Craig Middleton all missed the 1 - 0 defeat after picking up
5 bookings. City have another 6 players currently on four bookings so I more yellow card
for the following players will mean an automatic 1 match ban. Jeff Eckhardt, Jason Fowler,
Dai Thomas, Graham Mitchell, Richard Carpenter and Andy Legg.
Swansea FAW tie confirmed for March 2nd.
Kick off at Ninian Park 7:15pm.
Saturday 13th February 1999
BARNET 1 - 0 CARDIFF CITY. Match report.
City remain top of the table despite
losing at Underhill today. Cardiff have never won at this sloping ground in North London
and if we get promoted I'll be glad we will not have to go there again next season. Today
has turned out to be a good day to lose with 2nd placed Cambridge drawing at home 0 - 0
with 3rd placed Scunthorpe. In fact only Brentford and Halifax out of the top nine won
matches today. City are now top by two points and seven points clear of third and fourth
spot (albeit all three teams below us have a game in hand). Steve Searle scored the winner
for Barnet on 70 mins. Cardiff though will rue plenty of missed chances, several of which
fell to John Williams.
Friday 12th February 1999
Earnshaw out on loan.
Rob Earnshaw will spend the next month on loan at Premiership Middlesboro.
This is further to his trial at Fulham earlier in the season. Ninian Park say it is part
of his footballing education. Lets hope is not a case of "try before you buy".
Rob is a very exiting prospect and can be a major part of Cardiff's future. He is
currently on a four year contract at City but the idea of a big money sale to Middlesboro
(or any other major team) will be in the minds of the City directors. Rob is with the City
squad for the Barnet game but then goes to Middlesboro on Sunday. Neither club have
mentioned a permanent deal.
Barnet preview.
Another vital away match will take place at Underhill tomorrow. I outlined
yesterday the probable team selction and I will stick by that forecast today. Cambridge
are breathing down our necks, they are 3 points behind with a game in hand. They would go
above us goals scored if that game turns out to be a victory. City must not think about
that though. All that will be in Frank Burrows' mind is a win tomorrow. If we keep on
winning then the pressure turns back to the chasing teams to match our achievements. City
are looking for their second double of the season, we have already achieved that feat at
the expense of Shrewsbury. The win at Ninian Park earlier in the season was watched by
City's lowest home league gate this season of just 3742 fans, how times have changed, we
now look for at least 9 - 10000 per home match. The ideal result will obviously be a win
for Cardiff, that added to the other promotion contenders dropping points would mean a
very pleasant journey home for the travelling fans.
Remember the game is ALL TICKET for City fans. No ticket no
enrty.
City v Swansea in the FAW Premier Cup.
It looks like the FAW 1/4 final tie against Swansea will take place on
Tuesday March 2nd at Ninian Park. As explained in the press report below S.Wales Police
are relaxing their usual 28 notice rule to allow the match to be played without disrupting
the league schedules of both clubs. It will be the first time this season that Caity will
feature in a live televised match as well. (There is a rumour that SKY may be considering
televising the league match at Scarboro on April 23rd, the fixture is planned for the
Saturday the 24th but would be moved if SKY go ahead).
It’s a fair cop! Police OK staves off cup-tie chaos -
Report courtesy of todays Western Mail
POLICE relaxed their own rules last night to ease Cardiff City and
Swansea City fixture congestion.
FAW Premier Cup opponents Cardiff and Swansea are expected to meet at Ninian Park on March
2 after police agreed the quarter-final could be played within the next month.
Had South Wales Police enforced the rule requiring them to be given 28 days notice of
derby matches the whole competition would have descended into chaos.
The next free date, given that both clubs have a fixture backlog, was April 20 – two
days after Cardiff and Swansea are scheduled to meet in the league at Ninian Park.
With the semi-finals played over two legs, Premier Cup officials might have found
arranging suitable dates before the final in mid-May an impossible task. Cardiff and
Swansea were also grateful for the police decision because of their
crowded league schedule.
Both clubs have played fewer matches than most Third Division teams because of FA Cup
progress earlier. Swansea have as many as four games in hand on some rivals.
A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed that a 28-day notice was in place regarding derby
matches between Cardiff and Swansea.
The spokesman said the rule had come into being because of the resources needed to police
a fixture with a long history of crowd trouble.
But recent league derbies – played on Sundays with noon kick-offs and away fans
allowed in – have passed without incident.
Cardiff secretary Ceri Whitehead said, “I think this decision shows how far
we’ve come over the last few years. The police were very sympathetic to the position
that both Swansea and ourselves are in.
“The only free date that Swansea had between now and April 20 was March 16, and we
have a game at Rotherham that evening.
“Obviously our league matches take precedence over the Premier Cup. We could not have
played Swansea until late April if the police had not been so accommodating. That would
have created enormous problems for both clubs and the competition itself.
“Thankfully, the police have given us a bit of leeway and I only hope that both sets
of fans respect that.”
The tie – which will be televised live by BBC Wales – is not expected to attract
the 10,000-plus crowd that a league meeting between the two sides could generate.
But the figure may still be in excess of 4,000 and the match is likely to be all-ticket,
with Swansea supporters allocated the Grange End terrace.
Swansea secretary Vicki Townsend said, “I don’t think it would be possible for
logistic reasons to have the clubs playing each other twice in three days.
“It is a sensible decision. The crowd will be smaller than could be expected for a
league match between the two clubs, and I don’t anticipate any trouble between the
rival sets of fans.
“We have had a bit of practice in this sort of game, and the system we have employed
has worked well.”
Phil Blanche
Thursday 11th February 1999
Saturdays early team news
Frank Burrows said yesterday he would not use players last night who would
be starting the match at Underhill v Barnet on Saturday. 3 points is the target to keep
the promotion dream on target and to keep City top of Division 3. Frank did not want any
injuries. From this we are then to assume that Dai Thomas will replace Kevin Nugent on
Saturday with Jason Bowen (who did play last night) being on the bench. Based on what
Frank said I would guess the staring line up on Saturday as. Hallworth (G), Legg (LWB),
Young (D), Mitchell (D), Eckhardt (D), Carpenter (M), Fowler (M), Hill (M), Williams (A),
Thomas (A) and ?? The last place puzzles me. If the above positions are used then we are
missing a right wing back...Step in Jason Bowen maybe. Jason needed match practice, so
maybe Frank was prepared to give him a run out last night and use him on Saturday. I would
like to see him in the side. This would leave Lee Jarman plus two others on the bench,
Maybe Earnshaw, Roberts, Phillips possibly even Mark Bonner. Maybe I'm talking a load of
rubbish we'll see.
Wednesday 10th February 1999
FAW Premier Cup
CARDIFF CITY 3 - 2 RHYL. Match report.
City survived going a goal down and
being pegged back to 2 - 2 to win against Rhyl tonight. City now have the prospect a
home tie with Swansea as well as winning £15000 for winning group A of the FAW Premier
Cup. Goals from acting skipper Kevin Nugent, Wayne O'Sullivan and Craig Middleton saw City
through (the three banned players on Saturday). Rhyl took the lead through Paterson in the
third minute and after Nugent and O'Sullivan put City ahead Hayder made it 2 - 2. Craig
Middleton scored the winner in the last 10 mins.
Young attracting interest.
Red Dragon reported this afternoon that Scott Young was attracting the
interest of Birmingham City.
Shortly after on Radio 5 it was reported that Blues skipper Gary Ablett could be out for
the rest of the season.
Rhyl part II
Contrary to my preview earlier it seems that Dai Thomas could be rested
tonight as he will parter John Williams in place of Kevin Nugent on Saturday at Barnet.
Rhyl preview.
Its been reported many times before about the significance of tonights
game. Some see it as a second rate competion but the rewards available make it very much a
competitve tournament. A win tonight will earn City an extra £15000 for winning Group A.
It will also earn us a home tie with Swansea City in the 1/4 finals. Failure to win will
obviously mean kissing goodbye to 15 grand and will result in an away match at Jenner Park
v Barry Town.
City will probably use some squad players
tonight although the 1 match Nationwide League bans that will keep Nugent, O'Sullivan and
Middleton out of the match at Barnet on Saturday may mean they may play tonight. Mark
Bonner is not yet fit but will probably make his return in a reserve match next Monday at
Exeter City. Dai Thomas will be hoping for a starting place, he is currently the second
highest scorer in the competition with 4 goals. The top marksman earns himself £10000.
Dai scored a hattrick away at Rhyl and would love to get the chance to score his first
competitive goals at Ninian Park tonight (all his other goals have come away from home
except for 2 in the reserves). Seamus Kelly, Rob Earnshaw, Nathan Cadette, Lee Jarman and
Lee Phillips will all be hoping to take part. Mark Delaney and Mike Ford are both
unavailable through injury, Delaney missed the chance to play for Wales B last night.
Bobby Gould confirmed that Delaney would have played last night if he was fit (little
comfort I know). Wales won the game 1 - 0 with a goal from Barry Town's Eiffion Williams
who scored in the 72nd minute after coming on as a sub.
Barnet tickets.
Tickets for the game at Underhill on Saturday are still available, the
match is all ticket for City fans so those planning to travel must get them from Ninian
Park first.
Other ticket news.
Tickets are also on sale for the home game v Halifax on Friday Feb 19th
(ko 7:30pm). Season ticket holders who want to reserve the same seat for the rest of the
season should also make contact with the ticket office at Ninian Park.
Tuesday 9th February 1999
O'Sullivan ban stands.
Wayne O'Sullivan will miss this Saturdays crucial Div 3 battle with
Barnet. O'Sullivan failed in his appeal today to have the yellow card transfered to Mark
Delaney who City feel committed the offending challenge against Brentford. Also banned for
the Barnet match is Kevin Nugent and Craig Middleton. All three players are banned because
they have picked up 5 yellow cards so far this season. As well as these three players
missing nnjured duo Mark Delaney and Mike Ford are doubtful. A chance then for the squad
to pull together. City can bring in experienced players like Danny Hill, Andy Legg, Jason
Bowen, Lee Jarman, Scott Young and Dai Thomas.
Monday 7th February 1999
 Bonner stays at
Ninian Park.
Mark Bonner's loan period at Hull has ended with the midfielder returning
to Ninian Park. Mark scored for Hull on his debut for the Tigers but injury forced him to
return to Ninian Park early. The month has now ended and Hull have decided not to extend
the deal as Mark is still not yet fully fit.
Delaney disappointment.
The injury that kept Mark out of the City team that drew at Plymouth on
the weekend has forced himout of the Wales B squad for tomorrows game v Northern Ireland
in Wrexham. A shame for Mark but I'm sure he'll get another chance.
 O'Sullivan booking appeal.
Wayne O'Sullivan will learn in the next 24 hours whether or not his appeal
against a booking received v Brentford will be overturned. The booking, Wayne's 5th this
season, should have been given to Mark Delaney who only has one previous caution. If the
appeal is sucessful then Wayne will be available to play v Barnet this coming Saturday. If
the caution remains against Wayne then he will miss the Barnet game.
City youth 3 - 1 Cirencester youth
A good home win for the youngsters at Treforest last Saturday.
Saturday 6th February 1999
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 - 1 CARDIFF CITY. Match report.
 City have earned a valuable point at Home Park today. In a match that was
never going to be easy City were 1 down at half time after Marshall scored for Plymouth on
19 mins. Andy Legg put away the equaliser on 63 mins. Jason Bowen went close in injury
time. Before the game I guess we would have settled for a point. Cambridge have cut City's
lead at the top to 3 points after their win today.
Friday 5th February 1999
Delaney blow plus latest team news.
Tha hamstring injury that is making Mark Delaney extremely doubtful for
tomorrow's match will probably keep him out of the Wales B team next Tuesday. Delaney will
be replaced by Andy Legg, Legg would play as left wing back with Wayne O'Sullivan
switching into Delaney's position on the right.
Mike Ford is also very doubtful. His place will go to either Scott Young or Lee
Jarman. If Young returns he will wear the captains armband. Jarman has also skippered the
Bluebirds this season. Bowen and Hill will be on the bench with either Dai Thomas or
possibly Lee Jarman.
Plymouth preview.
This game will be a tough one. Plymouth will be looking to avenge the 1 -
0 defeat suffered at Ninian Park earlier in the season. The game looked to heading for 0 -
0 draw when the Plymouth centre back Wotton sliced a John Williams cross into his own net
in the 88th minute. That win started the run of excellent league form that City are still
enjoying. City have lost only 4 of the 22 league games played since that victory. Before
that match City had only earned 4 pts out of a possible 15. Plymouth will have promotion
dreams of their own, they are 6 points off a play off place and only 8 off third spot.
However they are a whopping 16 pts behind us. Mark Delaney and Mike Ford are the only
injury doubts, if they are available I can see the same XI starting (this consistency has
played a major part in our success so far this season, when we have had to change - the
strength of the squad has enabled a quality player to come into the team and keep the
machine turning), Jason Bowen, Andy Legg and Danny Hill will probably be on the bench.
Cambridge, Sunthorpe, Mansfield and Brentford are the other results to watch out for
tomorrow. Cambridge offer the biggest threat at the moment.
Nugent up for award.
Kevin Nugent is one of the nine candidates shortlisted for the Nationwide
Player of the Month award for January selected by Sky Sports. A three divisions are
included.
Billy Ayre fined.
City no.2 Billy Ayre has been fined £250 for his involvement in a
touchline fracas at Merthyr in this seasons FAW Cup. Ayre was part of a brawl on the
touchline involving several players and coaching staff.
Squad pages
now fully updated
Thursday 4th February 1999
Rotherham v City - provisional date.
Tuesday 16th Matrh has been pencilled in for the away Div 3 game with
Rotherham at Millmoor. This date is still subject to final confirmation.
City v Rhyl (FAW Premier Cup)
rearranged.
Cardiff will host Rhyl next Wednesday 10th Feb at Ninian Park. Kick off
7:15pm. A win for Cardiff will earn them a home tie with Swansea City in the 1/4 finals
and the £15000.00 prize money for winning the group. A draw or a defeat will have Cardiff
travelling to Barry for the next round and Merthyr walking away with the cash.
Wednesday 3rd February 1999
Cardiff City res 2 - 1 Swansea res
Dai Thomas scored both goals as Cardiff beat Swansea at Ninian Park yesterday.
Swans reply came from Aiden Newhouse. City team. S Kelly, Cadette, P Kelly (Earnshaw 68).
Jarman, Young (Davis 68), Phillips, Hill, Owen, Thomas, Bowen, Legg. Subs not used.
Buttery (g/k), Higginson.
Fans Forum.
A fans forum will be held in the Ninian Pub on Monday Feb 15th at 7:30pm.
This venue has been selected to allow disabled supporters easy access. Present will be
Mike Ford, Kevin Nugent, Wayne O'Sullivan and Jeff Eckhardt. The players will be answering
questions put to them by the fans that attend. Tickets are £2.50 and get be obtained from
Tony Jeffries at Cardiff City Supporters Club. (01222 691087) or email Zoe Jones. Tickets are also selling well for the
end of season Player of the Year dinner. Again contact Tony and Zoe for more information.
Tuesday 2nd February 1999
Brentford stumble.
Brentford, who City comprehensively beat last Saturday, failed to gain
maximum points against Carlisle tonight. The 1 - 1 draw, Brentfords first draw of the
season, has left them 9 points behind Cardiff with only one game in hand. |
