City fans at Home Park 6/2/99.Report by NigelBlues.
Plymouth Argyle (1) 1 Cardiff City (0) 1
Marshall 19 Legg 63
Attendance: 6,062
City fans: 1,000
Atmosphere: Average
Police: 300
Stewards: 100
Private Security 300
Weather: Dry, sunny but very windy and very cold
Pitch: Average
The ground itself is large but old and ugly. City fans had a
large, curved
terrace behind one goal. To our left, was an old wooden-type stand with
corporate boxes beneath them which were not unlike a series of garden sheds
painted green and a terrace with seats bolted on them (not unlike our Family
Enclosure) in front of that. A newer looking stand was to our right (by
newer, it looked less than 70 years old) and they had a disjointed terrace
with a new section on one side, an area behind the goal that did not run to
the corner flag and ten a large open area running from the corner flag to join
with the stand. To make sure we were kept in our place, police stood at every
position at the back, filmed us from the top of a building where another 20 or
so observed us and they filled the sides of the terrace, from the back to the
front. There was no escape from them, the referee, Mark Warren, was a
bleedin' copper too!
Onto the match, believe it or not, we had come to watch football, City's
promotion challenge continued after recovering from a very poor first half
with a much improved display, an excellent equaliser and after 90 minutes
play, gain a well deserved point.
Injuries to Mark Delaney (whose forward runs and pace at the back were sorely
missed) and Captain Mike Ford forced a re-shuffle of the pack. Wayne O'
Sullivan switched to the right wing back, Andy Legg had his first start for
City as left wing back and Scott Young was called up for his first game of any
description for 6 weeks since his inhury at Brentford. Young was a gamble and
he was clearly short of fitness and although not the fastes player, he was a
yard slow of his usual pace. Jeff Eckhardt was captain for the day.
The quality of the squad was shown again as the substitutes, Danny Hill, Lee
Jarman and Jason Bowen are above Division 3 standards and would be automatic starts at
most other clubs.
The first meaningful action was from City as John Williams broke free after 3
minutes and took the ball around the keeper but as he hit the ball in the
centre, no City player was in sight to socre what would have been an easy
goal. From this moment however, Plymouth dominated the half and City put on
their poorest shoing for some time.
Every time City had possession, it was quickly lost due to poor passing or
play, the central three were poor as Plymouth ran at them, and often, through
them and the chances and shots came. A 30 yard volley sailed just over
Hallworth, he had to make a great save from another volley, Paul Gibbs curled
a great left-footer around him from 30 yards which went inches wide, there
were last gasp clearences and it was no surprise when Plymouth took the lead
with a simple goal. A ball was won in midfield, brought forward with no
challenges and a pass was played through the defence. Scott Young lost Dwight
Marshall who broke free, Hallworth was slow off his line and a shot was buried
under him from 10 yards.
The signs were ominous although City nearly equalised after a great move
resulted in Jason Fowler chipping the ball over the defence for Andy Legg to
smash a volley over from 12 yards when he had time and space to control, he
should have done better.
City's other chance of the half was also wasted. John Williams, who firstly
tore through the defence again to find no support a minute earlier, was in the
clear again. This time, he wrongly went for glory and smashed a shot high and
wide from an angle when he had Nugent unmarked in the centre or could have
taken the ball around Plymouth's keeper.
Jon Hallworth remained very busy, having to make a couple more saves and deny attackers
charging through the City rearguard. Richard Carpenter, so often,
the midfield linkman and ball winner, was anonymous. Scott Young was booked
for a late tackle. Within seconds, Jeff Eckhardt had to go off for the final
5 minutes when although he stooped his head, was caught by a high boot. No
booking for the culprit though. Half-time arrived and City had to be grateful
to only be 1 goal behind, it could have been worse. Fans hoped that playing
into the wind and a Frankie half-time chat would do the trick.
Half-time Plymouth 1 City 0
Jeff Eckhardt, who loves making a hero of himself, returned
with his head
heavily wrapped in bandages. Come to think of it, he sometimes runs like an
Egyptian mummy.
The second half started as the first half finished as Plymouth went at City
and won most of the 50/50 balls. Notice that City were getting back into the
game was served as they started having some joy attacking Plymouth's left
side. Their left-back Paul Gibbs looks a fine attacking player but was
regularly caught out and beaten at the back. From one sweeping move, Wayne
O'Sullivan beat Gibbs and fed Richard Carpenter, his effort seemed to be a
combination of shot and chip but flew wide.
Plymouth attacks were starting to be snuffed at the back and the next effort
should have produced the equaliser. John Williams was near the touchline,
when he turned and sped away from Gibbs then hit the perfect far post centre
as he fell. Nugent (who was nicknamed "Emily" when he played for Plymouth -
anyone know why?) really should have scored but misheaded over the bar when he should have
buried the chance. Shortly afterwards, a tiring Willams was
replaced by Jason Bowen who pepped up City's attacks.
City's support, who were too cold to be noisy in the first half, got behind
the team more. Plymouth fans taunted us with "are you Swansea in disguise?"
as Legg fluffed a far post header but City chose the perfect moment to prove
who and what we are by equalising seconds later.
Again, the move was down the left side, O'Sullivan passed inside to Richard
Carpenter who spread a cross to the far post. Nugent met it and cushioned the
perfect header to Andy Legg and his low volley across goal was exemplary as it
was touched downwards by Plymouth's keeper but flew into the net. He charged
to the City fans, as did the other players, and the scene was mental. A few
of us chanted back "are you Swasnea in disguise?" to Plymouth.
From this moment on, City became the dominant force. Some of the passing and movements
were superior and we constantly had Plymouth turning and chasing.
Cardiff were winning the tackles and looked the better bet to win.
You had to criticise them though for over-elaborating at times, some players
seemed scared to shoot and would pass again or try to beat another player or
let down promising moves with a misplaced pass. Shots were blocked or wide
mainly but Gibbs was getting a roasting and his passes upfield, a major
feature earlier, became erratic.
Plymouth still had chances. One of them appeared to be odds on to produce a
goal as Marshall ran clear and in on goal, Jeff Eckhardt somehow got back to
take the ball off his toes. It was an outstanding and vital tackle.
City kept going forward, with Danny Hill on in place of Middleton, as Frankie
clearly indicated that he wanted the 3 points. City were getting through
Plymouth but never quite got the final shot in. The best moments were when
Bowen broke free but dodged out of a challenge with the keeper and when Nugent had the
perfect opportunity ton produce a crabon copy of the equaliser but, this time, he headed
back out instead. City stayed in command until the final
whistle and were the only side likely to score again but it wasn't to be.
The players were applauded off and the support were largely satisfied. It was
far from a good display but you could not fault their commitment and
fightback. It was undoubtedly a fair result although Plymouth will kick
themselves for losing their grip on the match and City had the play and
possession to leave you disappointed that we didn't go on to claim the 3
points. City proved their bottle again from this tricky test.
A draw brought symmetry back to the head-to-head Cardiff meetings as the 36
games played between the two sides and produced 12 wins each and now, 12
draws. City just lead on goals scored, 53 to 52!
On the face of it, this was the hardest fixture on the month and there was the
added bonus of no top side Cambridge apart, winning which made it even better.
We are now an amazing 9 points clear of 4th place and missing out on automatic
promotion.
With February games to come at Barnet and Rochdale with Halifax at home
sandwiched between them during February, 7 or 9 points must be the aim. This
would truly have us banging the door down for promotion and then we can truly
consider the championship too.
City attack
Report from Soccernet.
Third Division leaders Cardiff City produced a storming second half
recovery to keep their championship campaign on course at Plymouth.
Jason Bowen and Andy Legg, Cardiff's recent signings from Reading, combined to equalise
for the Bluebirds after Plymouth had taken a deserved interval lead.
Striker Dwight Marshall ran onto a through ball from Martin Barlow to drive Plymouth ahead
in the 19th minute.
Plymouth looked the more impressive side with the wind at their backs in the first half
and might easily have increased their lead.
Howard Forinton had a shot well saved by Jon Hallworth and then headed just wide from a
cross by Paul Gibbs.
Cardiff stepped up the tempo after Bowen came on, the 58th minute substitute for striker
John Williams.
Kevin Nugent always looked dangerous against his old club as he led the Cardiff attack in
determined style. The big striker nodded down a cross from Bowen and Legg pounced to score
with a powerful volley in the 63rd minute.
Plymouth tried to get their noses back in front but found it difficult to make headway
against a composed Cardiff side who created a number of promising openings themselves.
Cardiff manager Frank Burrows admitted: "We were poor under pressure, but in the
second half I felt we were at our best and showed why we are top of the League.".
More action
Thanks to Ian Newell for the pictures. |
