Sat 1st Dec 2001.

Subs not used
Nugent
Weston
Legg

Oldham
Rachubka
Holden
Balmer
Duxbury
Beharall
Armstrong
D Sheridan
J Sheridam
Tipton (Baudet 85)
Eyres (Eyre   71)
Smart (Corrazin 78)

Subs not used
Mc Niven
Kelly

Report from NigelBlues.
CARDIFF CITY gained 3 points for only the 4th time in 10 home starts this season with a well deserved and badly needed win giving a boost to fans and players alike in what may be seen as a significant turning point at the end of this season. The performance was much better than most seen at Ninian Park this season but, in truth, still some way short of what this side are capable of. 3-1 sounds convincing, City deserved it although on another day it could have gone the other way but it didn't and that's all that mattered.

The Bluebirds now seem to be one of nine or ten sides chasing the two automatic promotion and four play off spots with the rest falling away as the table takes real shape. And, with just one defeat in twelve league games since late September, their chances are finally starting to look better than most.

The gap between City and the top three will still take some closing. I'm honestly still unsure that we have what it takes to get there but, in a very difficult and challenging December, City made the best start to the month beating a side who kicked off two places above us although they never looked as good.

With two of the top three - Brentford and Stoke - to play in the next 18 days and another two contenders - Bristol City and Reading - visiting Ninian over Christmas, we should soon have a better idea of whether promotion or play offs is our likeliest outcome for the season.

The inspiration behind today's victory was Graham Kavanagh with a superb midfield attacking performance. He scored two - one of them best amongst the best goals seen at Ninian in years, the other being amongst the most controversial - set up the other, was involved in all of City's best moves and chances and often seemed to be the only player interested in, and taking the responsibility, to shoot at goal. For a change, City managed to keep him pushed forward today. This was the key reason why City pushed on for victory instead of the 'hanging on' style which has characterised far too many second half performances this season and caused much anxiety and unrest amongst fans.

City made two welcome changes and a welcome adjustment to the formation too with Graham Kavanagh back after suspension, Peter Thorne back after 6 weeks injured and the 4-3-3 line up which hasn't really been working, especially at home, for a 4-2-2-2 type line up with Bonner and Boland pinning midfield, Kavanagh pushing on, Bowen with a licence to roam and Thorne and Earnshaw, probably the best striking duo in this division, given responsibility to work together.

City took some time to come to terms with these changes and adjustments as Oldham attacked from the start. We have been used to them starting well, today it took City nearly 20 minutes to get out of their own half. They rode the storm well, Alexander was very well protected, although an Oldham striker was inches away from meeting a far post cross.

The only 'excitement' for City fans in the opening phase was anger directed towards Oldham players for two yellow cards. Allen Smart, a typical lower division striker even if he has played Premier and Division One football in the last couple of years who signed for £225,000 from Watford in midweek, showed his crude side with a terrible challenge on Danny Gabbidon which was quickly followed by the childish antics of left back Dean Holden who refused to leave the pitch after a small knock was asked to by referee Olivier (he was sitting two foot from the touchline after all), then petulantly threw his shinguard away in a sulk, then came back on before being allowed.

Football wise, it looked a struggle for City. Oldham were well organised with veteran John Sheridan at the heart of things. They attacked quickly and defended in numbers while City didn't attack with width and didn't push forward in enough numbers. It was a stalemate, it looked a little ominous at times but it was becoming obvious that it would take a little bit of magic and quality to make a difference. The reason City won was because we had it, Oldham didn't.

City's first major chance, and use of quality, took nearly half hour to happen and followed a let off as a stunning 25 yard Tipton drive whistled narrowly over Alexander's bar. Danny Gabbidon set off on a sizzling 50 yard run beating three men going into the Oldham area before squaring the ball to Graham Kavanagh in front of goal. Kav totally mishit his effort so a fantastic chance was wasted although it did look as if the ball took an unkind bounce in front of him, the pitch was unusually bumpy in places.

Kavanagh nearly made amends with a superb run and piece of vision to put Jason Bowen clear in the area but Bowen was totally out of sorts and confidence today. He decided to turn and play the ball back when his only options should have been a first time shot or ball across the box.

These incidents caused frustration but City then opened their account with a goal fashioned from nothing but which showed the extra class of this team. From nothing, Kavanagh went wide and picked out Peter Thorne with a superb diagonal ball from 30 yards out, Thorne's cushioned header across goal was both brilliant and perfection and in came ROBERT EARNSHAW to firmly head home from close range giving Oldham's on loan American keeper, Rachubka, no chance. Earnie celebrated with a somersault in front of the Bob Bank, it was exactly the lift everyone needed. If Alan Cork has any sense, he'll give the lad an extra bonus again rather than fine him this time.

The extra confidence it injected nearly saw City double their lead a couple of minutes later as Kavanagh found Earnie wide in the penalty area, he turned and knocked up a perfect ball for Thorne to head powerfully but have his effort beaten away by the keeper, either side of him and it would have been 2-0.

Half-time: CITY 1 Oldham 0

The second half was frustrating for long periods with neither side really fashioning any real chances until the closing stages. City were trying to kill the game but they were struggling to do it.

There seemed to be a couple of reasons why. The main ones being the side were struggling to get wide again. Daniel Gabbidon tried but failed on the right while Dean Gordon rarely pushed on from the left leaving Willie Boland to move wide. It also didn't help the cause that Jason Bowen was unusually totally out of sorts, failing to get in the game at any time. City's other problem seemed to be a lack of confidence of the players to shoot at goal, whenever promising positions opened, players only seemed interested in passing or laying the ball off rather than have a go. The one exception was Kavanagh who looked to shoot whenever he could, others need to follow his example.

Danny Gabbidon's frustrations nearly cost City very dearly as he played an awful ball out of defence straight to Sheridan. Disgusted with himself, Gabbi stood still shaking his head in disbelief as Sheridan played in Alan Smart behind him who was clear on goal with Gabbi still asleep. Smart went wide of Alexander but his effort went into the side netting. Gabbidon seemed unhappy for long periods, seeing him close up from the Grandstand, his body language often looked poor and he was shaking his head throughout. Maybe he's not as happy being taken out of central defence but he's good enough to come through this.

City created a couple of moments of danger but Oldham were starting to believe in their chances of pinching an equaliser and were introducing substitutes. But then they were undone by another magnificent King Kav goal. As with a couple of his specials this season, it came from absolutely nothing.

With 14 minutes remaining, the ball was contested in the middle of the park, a couple of City players were involved before the ball fell in front of KAVANAGH who, instinctively and on his unnatural left foot, hit a 25 yard screamer that was so powerful, and contained that element of surprise, that it flew high and hit the back of the net before Rachubka moved to try and save it. Rachubka, is Manchester United's reserve keeper and played in their recent 2-0 Premier win vs Leicester but even training against Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Veron and Co, I doubt that he has been beaten as comprehensively as that.

It was special, the roar was fantastic continuing for ages. Kav celebrated by running to the Bob Bank/Grange End corner flag, encouraging the other players to join him and diving full length, Klinsman style, along the ground.

At last City had killed a game off and the relief was audible ..... but this is Cardiff City and within 60 seconds, they crazily let Oldham back into the match with an innocuous goal as the defence who had been magnificent all afternoon, were caught napping.

Oldham worked the ball to the edge of City's left side of the area, a player was allowed to turn, pass inside and JOHN EYRE had the simple task of his directing the ball across goal and inside the far post from 8 yards with City players statuesque.

It made for an unnecessary nailbiting closing 13 minutes. Oldham brought on two substitutes, City introduced Maxwell for Bowen and Leo for Thorne all coming on and off to huge ovations. There was an argument for Maxwell coming on far earlier than he did for Bowen who was now very tired.

Oldham pushed on in numbers and tried some bombardment but City were solid with everyone chipping in. Bonner and Boland may be a little too similar but they worked and harried throughout giving Kavanagh and Bowen the platform to do what they do best and protecting the defence well too. Bonner also looked tired in the final stages but never stopped.

Spencer Prior was once again the lynchpin at the back and magnificent in all that he did, he is finally starting to show the player he is. I'd also give a mention to Neil Alexander who only really had one or two saves to make but part of the reason for that is his magnificent positional play as he takes balls with ease, rushes out when right, concentrates and continually shouts at and encourages others. He fully deserved a clean sheet, it was a real shame he didn't get it.

There were 3 minutes of added time with the 10,000 crowd with 20,000 chewed nails, another great turn out all things considered, when an incident of controversy wrapped up a brilliant win and sent everyone home smiling.

Oldham had all their players pushed up for the final 30 second onslaught and waited for John Sheridan to launch a 50 yard up and under for them. Kavanagh closed him down and as he kicked the ball, Kav made a star jump in front of him to make himself big. The result was the sort of charge down with both arms that belongs to the Millennium Stadium as egg chasers close down kickers.

The referee, Olivier, was either unsighted or thought it was a fair way to challenge as he waved play on. I don't think I've seen many more bizarre sights as Kavanagh running the final 50 yards towards Rachubka in Oldham's goal with the other 20 men all back in Cardiff's half watching or complaining. Credit to Kav for running on, you play to the whistle, and as he got to the edge of the area, he impeccably rolled the ball past Rachubka to make it 3-1, game set and match, thank you very much.

He's now out in front as leading league scorer with 7 this season and although I'm never sure if he's worth his £1M fee, he's on course to get 15 to 20 league goals this season from midfield, City are going to there or thereabouts and he will be a significant reason. I just hope City keep him pushed forward as that's where he's of most value to this team.

Oldham went berserk, Darren Sheridan and John Eyre were booked, half their side could have been for their protests, over the 90 minutes, half their side were booked. You could see their point, not many refs would have given it, it would probably have been a penalty if it had happened in City's own area and we would have gone mental if it happened to us but having seen so much luck against us for so long, I'll take it. Once everyone reflects, they will also surely realise it was so late in the game that it only affected the scoreline, not the result as the final whistle went 15 seconds later.

But the psychological effect made be more significant to City as it sent 10,000 supporters home buzzing and feeling great while the players would have gone back in the changing room celebrating. Cardiff, individually and collectively, battled to get their reward, few would deny them that.

Oldham meanwhile were still furious, Sheridan kicked a ball over the Grandstand roof which probably sent one City fan in Sloper Road home happy with a yellow Mitre size 5 matchball - hope he gets Kavanagh to sign it! - while an Oldham away fan was probably cheered a little as Rachubka sent another ball flying into their section of the Grange End.

Ref Olivier stood out on the pitch for a minute or more for the players to disappear and stewards to surround him before marching off. Ian Dowie, Oldham's assistant manager, waited to blast him but the ref refused to talk to him because he's far too ugly to speak to, don't blame him! Instead, Olivier, had a huge round of applause from the City faithful. It's not often you see the ref go off to a standing ovation, love it.

It was a good win, it was a real boost for City, it wasn't the best performance, not enough was created, there are still many areas to improve but it set things up very nicely for Brentford on Tuesday. I'd settle for more of the same.

Report from www.sports.com
Cardiff city, amidst controversial scenes at the end of the match with the referee being escorted from the field, managed a convincing win and three valuable points to keep in touch with the league leaders.

Oldham opened the match aggressively and received two yellow cards within the first ten minutes of play. The first card being shown to new signing Allan Smart for a ferocious tackle on defender Daniel Gabbidon and the second to Dean Holden for entering the field of play after injury without official permission.

Oldham almost opened the scoring in the 12th minute as Matthew Tipton just failed to make contact with a dangerous cross from David Eyres which sailed narrowly passed the Cardiff upright.

Cardiff threatened The Latics goal in the 23rd minute when captain Graham Kavanagh fired in a 20-yard direct free-kick which was well saved at the near post by keeper Paul Rachubka.

Oldham retaliated four minutes later with a fine individual long range effort from Tipton whose 30-yard thunderbolt screamed inches over the bar with Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander looking on anxiously.

The Bluebirds missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 29th minute as Kavanagh fluffed his shot ten yards in front of goal following a dazzling 40-yard run by defende Gabbidon.

Cardiff skipper Kavanagh made amends in the 37th minute creating the opportunity for the Bluebirds' opening goal.

His accurate chip to the far post found Peter Thorne whose header across the goal was met by fellow striker Robert Earnshaw who nodded easily past Rachubka.

Two minues before half time, Cardiff came within a whisker of increasing the lead when Earnshaw danced passed a couple of defenders and crossed accurately to Thorne whos downward header from six yards was well saved by Rachubka Cardiff went further ahead in the 74th minute with a truly outstanding goal from the inspirational Kavanagh who after receiving a knocked down pass from Earnshaw let fly with a 25 yard left-footed pile-driver which hit the back of the net before Rachubka had time to blink.

The superlative effort brought the 10,000 cheering crowd to thier feet for several minutes.

The Latics fought galantly, pulling a goal back a minute later as Darren Sheridan turned and twisted in the area, squared an inviting pass to substitute John Eyre who side-footed past Alexander from close range.

Kavanagh became the real hero at Ninian Park when in the last minute, Oldham stood still appealing for handball, but the unsighted referee waved play on and the Cardiff captain ran from the halfway line un-opposed and nonchalantly stroked his shot past the advancing keeper much to the delight of the ecstactic fans.

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