Report by NigelBlues
Cardiff (1) 3 Darlington (1) 2
Carpenter 23 Naylor 1
Williams 53 Gabbiadini 87
Middleton 81 |
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Crowd: 5,803 (Darlington supporters - 50 approx)
Weather: Rain and drizzle all game
Pitch: Excellent, goalmouths muddy but ground did not cut up all match
City came through strongly to show their immense character again and win their
7th successive league game at home and their 15th league win in the last 22
starts. They made hard work by conceding early and late goals and showed
glimpses of how well they can play but still won. With many other results
going the club's way too, it was another highly productive weekend.
The crowd was slightly disappointing at 5,803 but with just 5 more, only Hull
had a better crowd. Perhaps it is not so surprising considering that this was
City's 5th home game in 6 Saturdays with another home game next weekend and at a difficult
time of year, financially.
By kick-off time, the Grandstand, Bob Bank and Family Enclosure were fairly
busy with the Canton Stand less than half-full and about 150 braving the
elements on the open Grange End. The Grange End punters seemed a happy crew though and
could be seen singing and dancing most of the game, one or two doing Gene Kelly Singing in
the Rain impressions. Anyone know why a Scottish flag has suddenly started appearing on
the Grange End?
The kick-off seemed to be delayed as Darlington players gathered near the
halfway line and engaged in a mass hug. Did they think they were Brazil or
were they playing, "who's got the biggest?". Either way, the plan worked as
they took the lead inside the 1st minute to stun City players and fans alike.
Mike Ford shockingly and needlessly gave the ball away near the half-way line
but recovered to concede a throw-in. From that, a centre was headed away by
Jeff "Awesome" Eckhardt and the ball found Glenn Naylor. Again, the defence
was sluggish as nobody closed the player down and allowed him to hit a low,
left foot shot from 25 yards which flew across goal and inside the far post
despite Hallworth's dive.
Incredibly, it was the first 1st half goal that City have conceded for more
than 4 months in the league and 18 matches - the last side to achieve it were
Rochdale on September 19. It was a good shot but the defensive work of Mike
Ford initially and the failure of others to close down the goalscorer left a
lot to be desired.
City were shaken and took a long time gain their composure a look threatening.
Nugent was wide with a header and, shortly after, following a good move, he
placed a header directly at the keeper when either side of him would have got
the equaliser. The Darlington keeper was bizarre, he looked comfortable and
confident in the area but seemed to chase everything that went outside it too.
The most I have ever seen a keeper leave their area, it would cost him
eventually.
City gradually cranked up the pressure and equalised on 23 minutes. Craig
Middleton charged through the Darlington defenders and hit a low cross aiming
for Williams on the far post. A defender intervened and turned the ball onto
his crossbar for a corner.
From that, Nugent headed back across goal where Mike Ford seemed to miss
putting the ball home from a couple of yards. The Darlington defence hit a
desperate clearance to find Richard Carpenter standing wide on the left of the
area. He smashed the ball at pace from a very difficult angle but if cleared
the defenders and powered into the goal off the crossbar. A great shot to
signify Carpenter's well deserved 1st goal for the club.
The remainder of the first-half was uneventful as City went back into their
shell. There was a prolonged stoppage after an incident between Kevin Nugent
and ex-City star, Gary Bennett, who home a warm ovation from the crowd.
Nugent tried shooting whilst lying on the floor and with the ball stuck at his
feet, defenders closed in. Bennett seemed to kick Nugent but after walking a
couple of paces, he suddenly collapsed as if he had been shot. After lengthy
treatment, he carried on.
Just before half-time, City looked set to take the lead as John Williams met
the ball charging clear but his lofted the ball too high over the advancing keeper and the
danger was cleared.
Half-time City 1 Darlington 1
Darlington obviously love each other as they
decided to start with second half
with another get-together and cuddle. Awwwwwwwwww! There was no early goal
for them this time as City pressed on.
The first action was a great surging Delaney run with a whipped centre to the
near post. Jason Fowler moved in but somehow succeeded in taking out 2
Darlington players who were both lying motionless in front of goal. City
players were amazed and laughing at how Jason had become a bruiser and a few
of us in The Canton (Leon, myself and others started chanting 'Jason, you're
our hard man' and 'Psycho'!). Both players recovered and were around to see
City take a 2-1 lead minutes later.
A through ball down the wing presented no danger but the Darlington keeper
charged out to meet it and challenge John Williams when defenders were
present. He brought Williams down near the touch-line - he really was that
far out - and was booked. If Williams was facing towards goal, he may well
have been sent off.
The free-kick was met by Nugent who nodded onto Mike Ford near the far post.
Ford had his back to goal so played the ball out to Jason Fowler. Fowler hit
a beautiful centre to find John Williams on the opposite side of the area and
his header was deliberately placed back across goal near the far, top corner.
It was in from the moment it left his head and the Darlington keeper could do
nothing but watch. Williams and the whole ground celebrated.
City then had their best spell of the game and looked dangerous every time
they came forward. In particular, Darlington seemed vulnerable through he
middle and were struggling to contain John Williams and Kevin Nugent. For
all their efforts, a decisive 3rd goal was not coming.
Darlington introduced a Portuguese substitute, Ricardo Costa, from F.C. Porto
who came on wearing thick gloves. If he couldn't handle cold weather in
Cardiff, there's no hope for him in Darlington. As quick as he came on, he was
off again. The referee ordered him off to change his shorts, I haven't a clue
why.
Happily, the 3rd goal came on 82 minutes and involved a minute of magic from
Craig Middleton. Meeting another through ball, Middleton squeezed through two
defenders. It was superb vision that he spotted Kevin Nugent and he managed
to square the ball across the area. Nugent, from 12 yards, shot straight at
the keeper and should have done better.
As the ball was cleared upfield, City won a free-kick, almost on the centre
spot. Mike Ford lofted the ball to the far side of the penalty area and Jeff
Eckhardt ghosted in to head the ball across goal for Middleton to meet the
ball as dropped. In one movement, Middleton turned and hit a superb volley as
he was falling into the bottom of the net from 15 yards. It was a deserved
clincher … or so we thought.
As the goal went in, John Williams ran to Frankie and whispered a few words.
Seconds later, he was substituted for Dai Thomas and walked off to his
personal applause and he loved clapping back the whole ground. Did he have a
knock or does he enjoy these personal ovations?
City seemed to relax and had a rude shock on 87 minutes and a ball into the
area was not cleared. It found Marco Gabbiadini who rifled a volley across
goal and past a bemused and angry Jon Hallworth. This was the 4th successive
match that City have conceded a goal in the final 5 minutes.
The supporters were tense and had to ride out 3 minutes of injury time too but
Darlington did not threaten the City goal again. City moved onto 52 points
which is now 2 points more than we collected for the whole of last season.
My man of the match was Graham Mitchell. He was excellent in everything he
did at the back and his passing out of defence was the best that I have seen
from him. Jeff Eckhardt had another fantastic, here, there and everywhere
match too, whilst upfront, the return of Williams made an obvious difference. |
