Report by
NigelBlues.
After all the speculation, City had only one change as Mark Bonner
replaced
the suspended Jason Fowler. Bonner took his chance and was my man of the
match although Nugent and Hallworth were contenders too. He deserves to stay
in the team on merit after this performance.
Our hearts sank further when we noticed the ref was Mr Barry Knight - yes
him!!! Quite a few City fans were debating whether there was any point
staying with him refeering and if we thought he couldn't be as bad again, we
were wrong. After 12 minutes, Andy Legg did an overheadkick to clear wide in
the area. Lee Baddeley came into challenge and stopped his head low but it
was a good clearence without any contact. Knight though decided it was
dangerous kicking but seemed to invent a new law as his decision was an
indirect free kick in the box rather than a penalty. He incensed both Cardiff
and Exeter fans at the same time - an amazing talent the man has. It was
blocked but Knight was left in no doubt of City fans feelings which were
worsened by a linesman who apparently didn't know the rules either.
The signs at this stage were ominous as Exeter had City penned back but they
were not really a threat. They seemed to be missing Steve Flack who was a
substitute. Exeter fans confirmed he was not injured and they believe it was
to protect him and his value before transfer deadline. Let's hope he goes as
City get 1/3 of any sale value and his fee seems to be around 175,000 at
present.
The match was scrappy and had few moments of real quality but City were
battling and after a couple of blocked efforts, took the lead against the run
of play after 39 minutes. Wayne O'Sullivan fed the ball down the line from
halfway exactly to the spot where Bonner told him to put it. Bonner then put
in a deep cross to find Jason Bowen come in unmarked. Bowen headed downwards to find Kevin
Nugent stay in front of his marker and turn the ball home from 3 yards. You can feel the
relief and confidence lift on the pitch and with the
fans. A measure of the team spirit was demonstrated by sub John Williams
running past us throwing his knees high into the air and loving the adulation
he was getting.
Having got the lead, City settled and Bowen really should have increased the
lead on half-time. He chased a long, high ball downfield and did well to beat
a central defencer and head the ball twoards the edge of the area. Bowen was
free on goal and decided the lob the advancing keeper. Unfortunately it was
mistimed as his effort was 10 or more yards wide.
Shortlky afterwards, Barry Knight blew the half-time whistle but proved what a
prat he is as he stayed on the pitch and asked to be surrounded by Exeter
stewards and police. He was escorted to the tunnel and of course encouraged
more abuse from City fans, well deserved too Barry!
H/T City 0 Exeter 1The second half started
with a strange tannoy announcer to someone beind the
goal wearing red. He was shouting, "not you, it's the one behind you, yes
you" as fans in the City and Exeter terrace at each end started looking around.
Then came the message that someone's wife was in labour before it dawned that
it was an advert for Exchange & Mart!
Exeter started the second half with Flack and his mere presence chnaged the
game. The fact that it was scrappy was perfect for his style and he wasted no
time putting himself about and certainly let Jeff Eckhardt know he was about
with a high boot into his face at one point. For a change, Jeff didn't seem
to bleed and be in need of stitches.
As crosses were coming in for Flack, Hallworth flapped a few times trying to
catch, punch or palm the ball away and there were awkward moments. Hallworth
also redeemed himself by making a couple of outstanding saves of the highest
order. When he was beaten, two or three efforts were cleared off the line
including one by Kevin Nugent in his lovely new CCFC blue and white boots.
This was within seconds of him scoring glorious second goal.
Danny Hill was given the ball on the left wing and beat a defender before
whipping a cross into the area. Nugent did a superman impression as he came
flying in with a diving header to bury the ball into the corner for a
spectacular finish. He was obviously chuffed as his celebration included
blowing on his fingers to suggest it was style.
City held on, despite many awkward moments, and by the end should have won by more goals
as they spurned three glorious opportunities. John Williams came
on as a substitute and found himself clear on goal almost immediately. He
raced towards goal and although it was an angle, his shot ended up going for a
throw in on the opposite side of the pitch to mass laughter (from me anyway!).
A few minutes later, Williams was again in the clear and was central when
advancing on goal. This time his low effort was straight at Ashley Bayes.
Near the end, Dai came on as sub played in midfield. This still didn't stop
him having a superb opportunity and his speed partly looked impressive as he
was running at goal and Exeter ran out to find himself clear. Sure enough he
was getting caught but now inside the area, he decided to square the bll
across to present Nuge with a hat-trick opportunity. Dai being Dai though,
the ball went diagonally rather than square and out for a goal kick with
Nugent having no chance at all of reaching it.
The Exter tannoy announcer almost had to apologise for stating that an Exeter
player was man of the match but certainly said it quickly and quietly.
City fans were in good voice considering all match, especially considering it
was a lunchtime kick-off and it was great to feel top of the league again,
even if it was just for a few hours.
It wasn't a great City performance or a particularly great game to watch but
City battled hard and deserved to win. At this stage of the season, all that
matters are results, not performances, and this was a vital 3 points. It was
a result that has undoubtedly changed the mood and the confidence.
Report from Soccernet.
Leading marksman Kevin Nugent inspired Cardiff City back to the
top of Division Three in a 2-0 win at Exeter.
The powerful striker netted both Bluebirds goals to take his haul for
the season to 19.
Nugent completed his sparkling display with the 66th-minute
goal-line clearance that denied Paul Tosh, and preserved the
visitors' two-goal lead.
The result was enough to temporarily lift the Welshmen back into
pole position, at least for a couple of hours, before Championship
rivals Cambridge entertain Mansfield.
The victory demonstrated that Frank Burrows' side, with only one
win in their eight previous league contests, are anxious to clinch
promotion as champions.
"Exeter are an honest side and gave everything they had and it
became a bit of a slog" said Burrows.
"But we scored goals and that obviously makes the difference".
Midfielder Geoff Breslan squandered a great opportunity to thrust
Exeter into a third-minute lead, blazing just wide after bursting onto
Tosh's superb pass.
Indeed, The Grecians had other chances before Cardiff snatched
the lead against the run of play six minutes before the interval.
Mark Bonner delivered an excellent right-wing cross, Jason Bowen
nodded down and Nugent rammed home from four yards.
Exeter rallied, and Tosh as well as fellow on-loan striker Brian
Quailey went close to levelling before Nugent doubled the deficit
with a brave diving header from Danny Hill's 60th-minute cross.
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