Saturday
28th November 1998

Sub not used
Allen

Southend Utd
Margetson
Gooding (Beard 63)
Jones
Morley
Newman
Coleman
Maher
Livett
Burns (Conlon 45)
Rapley
Houghton

Sub not used
Stimson

City had a comfortable win against a Southend side who were good individually
but made to look very ordinary. Cardiff scored two goals in 32 minutes and
threatened to go on and get 4 or 5 but eased through a second half of little
action.

An excellent turn-out of listers in The Lansdowne (what have I got to do to
get a pint for a pound?) who all had optimism for a good result and so it
proved. City's line-up was the same for the 3rd successive game who, apart
from a dire final half-hour against Swansea, last week have looked invincible
at this level. Fortunately, their good play and power re-appeared as City
opened brightly and scored a superb goal after just 2 minutes.

A ball running out of play and looking a lost cause was chased on the wing by
Kevin Nugent. His effort was rewarded as he caught the ball and played inside
to Jason Fowler attacking the Grange End 35 yards out. A long centre
diagonally to the far side of the area was met full on by Mark Delaney who
powered a header to the opposite side of the goal. Craig Middleton ghosted
into the area and showed fantastic technique to smash a volley high into the
net for a relatively simply finish but taken with aplomb. An excellent move.
Having not scored for over a year, Middleton has now hit the net 3 times in 7
games, a great return for a midfield player.

Southend countered with their only chance of the half when ex-Cardiff YTS
player, Nathan Jones (didn't Bananarama sing about him?) hit a volley straight
at Jon Hallworth. Thanks to Leon and myself, chants of Cardiff reject soon
rang around the Canton Stand. Morse obscure was my "Merthyr reject" chant too
so I could really rub it in. My new catchphrase, "lovely haircut Jon" to Mr
Hallworth was little more successful either. He has had it done though and
it's beautifully layered. Everything is well with Cardiff City and the world
when Jon flicks his golden locks after a save or a goal kick.

City's midfield was again inspired by Jason Fowler who looks a class apart
when on the ball and in his passing. He glided past Southend defenders on
several occasions and was close with a couple of efforts. Fowler should have
added a second goal but his header flew into the Grange End. He was put off
by a Southend defender whose deflection managed to slightly change the angle
and height of the ball before it reached him.

Chances continued to arrive frequently as Middleton, Nugent and Carpenter
shot. Appeals for a hanball were denied before 'lethal' Kevin Nugent made it
2-0 on 32 minutes with another superbly taken goal.

The architect was Jason Fowler who brought the ball forward before finding
Nugent. Nugent turned and lost his defender then drilled a shot low into the
corner of the net. A great finish for two well crafted and excellently
finished goals today.

A couple of minutes later, it should have been 3-0 as John Williams charged
through the middle after a 1-2, took the ball around Martyn Margetson
(Southend's Welsh Jack 'keeper) but he didn't shoot immediately. Instead, he
controlled the ball and cut inside a defender charging back before smashing
the ball across goal. Unluckily, the ball crashed down for the crossbar and
away from danger. However, he should have shot from the angle initially
presented.

Half-time Cardiff 2 Southend 0 (team applauded off again)

The second-half was largely forgettable. Southend must have watched the
Swansea performance last week and they put a big man up front and tried
passing through the City defence or hitting long balls. Cardiff were however
more prepared this time as they easily soaked up all pressure and Hallworth
was well protected throughout.

Disappointing as it may have been that City did not build on their excellent
first-half show, some comfort must also be taken there were no problems at all
against a side such as Southend when City were clearly in third gear and
easing through the game.

Man of the match deservedly was Wayne O'Sullivan. His running up and down the pitch and play was exemplary as he cleared danger, won tackles and supported midfield plus was a constant threat on the wing and often the furthest man forward in attack too. Mark Delaney had an excellent first half but again
hardly made it outside of City's half after the break. Does he tire or is it
a tactic?

It was a half of few chances. For City, a Middleton chance which went
narrowly wide only occurred because a deflection took the ball nearer goal. A
promising move by Jason Fowler saw Kevin Nugent's effort blocked shortly
afterwards.

Southend, with their only real effort of the second half, brought a
magnificent save from Jon Hallworth to beat away a close range shot. How can
anyone question the ability of the man? To prove it was a save of the highest
order, Hallworth mopped his brow twice - he was that pleased!

The only highlight of the closing minutes was John Williams being substitued
for Christian Roberts, understandable as Williams has become anonymous. John
ran across the pitch before deciding it was better the savour the occasion.
He must have taken over a minute to leave the pitch by walking as slow as
possible and milk the applause, turn to acknowledge every part of the ground,
wave and do the ayatollah.

The second-half wasn't exciting to watch but maybe it's time we paid tribute
to City's defensive abilities rather than bemoan the lack of goals. The good
results are built on this platform.

Cardiff have the best defensive record in the division, have kept 5 blank
sheets in the past 6 games and this was their 7th clean sheet in 9 league and
cup games. Quite simply, an outstanding record.

Other results were favourable so Cardiff stand proudly in 3rd place tonight
with a game in hand. That game in hand is away at Carlisle on Tuesday where
victory will take Cardiff a point clear at the top of the division. Who will
care about the Swansea result then? See you in the chatroom on Tuesday !!!

Report by Muhz.

Just got back from another game of two halves which we won by two goals to
nil.

Middleton got the first after only three minutes when a lovely back post
header by Delaney opened up the goal for him. City were looking lively and
imaginative with plenty of diagonal runs causing problems for the Southend
defence, and the defence were coping more than adequately with Southends
limited efforts to get forward, usually down the left flank.

Nugent and Williams didn't really gel very well together and "Ted" was
fighting a losing battle against the physical Southend Centre back. Fowler
looked very promising on his frequent forward runs and combined well on a
number of occasions with Carpenter. Middleton at times looked like he was the
ball winner we so desparately need and O'sullivan was his usual hard working
self. After thirty minutes or so Nugent received the ball from left midfield
with his back to goal and did something strange - he turned and pinged a
lovely shot into the bottom right hand corner from about twenty yards. A
special ovation followed from a sympathetic crowd who acknowledged his hard
work in recent weeks.

This is it we all thought - total domination and another six goal tally.
Middleton and Fowler both went close before half time and Williams smashed a
pile driver against the angle after rounding the keeper a little too wide
and choosing to cut back inside.

Second half highlights were very few and far between. Our midfield lost
control, and at the same time lost inspiration. The only real highlight was a
lovely dummy by O'sullivan in the Canton / Grandstand corner which left the
Southend full back turning in circles and losing him completely like Vince
from Deputy Dawg "Where'd he Go Musky? Where'd he go?

Fowler showed what an enigma he is by going well off the pace and seeming not
to care that his distribution does not match the rest of his play. Hill came
on for Middleton with 17 minutes left and hit at least four well angled passes
in his short spell. looks useful. Roberts got about five minutes at the end in
place of Williams.

Hallworth was forced into one good save but was very well protected by his
defence especially Scott Young.

We must find someone to boss midfield, because this side looks devoid of a
natural leader. City went off the boil in the second half and nobody was
capable of lifting them.