Report by
NigelBlues.
Sheff Utd 4 Cardiff City 1
Just got back from Sheffield and still feel disappointed but not too depressed
strangely. The only thing that matters this season is promotion and to have
got as far as the last 32 of the F.A. Cup for the 2nd season running is a
fantastic achievement. It was just a shame that a game that City were capable
of winning disappeared out of sight so quickly..
Cardiff overcame a bad start, pulled themselves back into the game, started to
take control and then the worst thing happened. It was called half-time!
City just never got back into their flow and credit to Sheffield for raising
their game a gear and killing us off with 3 quick goals ending the match as a
contest.
Nothing new was really learned tonight for the average City critic. We have
some great individual players, a class goalkeeper, an attack who may be
limited but who will cause problems to many teams, we can play some great
football that at times which is better than Division 3 level. Fatally
however, in this game anyway, we have an ageing defence who are good enough to
get us out of Division 3 but will struggle beyond that level. I am sure
Frankie knows this and, after tonight, we don't have to worry about it until
May.
Sheffield United's ground is a glimpse of the standard that City must aim for.
Perhaps it's an indication that we should still be looking for a new stadium
rather than bolt on to a site that has not got the land for a modern 21st
century sports facility.
Bramall Lane is indeed a large stadium made up of 4 very large (huge) stands
along each side and behind the goal. City's support, over 2,000, were on the
top tier of a double decker stand behind one goal and it took a while to
adjust to a subbuteo like view.
Underneath it were the sort of facilities fans should expect but which seem
light years away at Ninian Park. Five snack bar/canteen areas including 2
BARS! Drinks were reasonably priced at 2.00 a pint for draught lager or
bitter. Plenty of room to stand around to drink, chat and eat. The South
Yorkshire Police were very friendly tonight also - maybe hard lessons have
been learned. The toilet facilities were great, the women in particular were
raving about theirs - no portakabin! To top it all, you could have all
combination of bets with a Ladbroke's booking office. I went for Jason to
score the first goal at 20/1 and for the match to be a draw at 45 minutes with
City to win at 90 minutes at 14/1.
Sheffield had a decent programme too and went out of their way to praise our
support with the words, "What is not in doubt is that this (Cardiff) is one
club with a massive fan base. Thousands follow them around the country each
week and the numbers on hand for this evening's cup tie - all here at short
notice don't forget - will highlight the potential that has always been there.
The team are now suggesting they are good enough to give those fans the
success they deserve."
The fans did City proud all night chanting from long before the start until
the final whistle. I would have been embarrassed to be a Sheffield fan as
their support was so poor, they were only heard when they scored their goals.
They may have been playing a Division 3 side but it was for a place in the
last 16 of the Cup and an awayday at Arsenal.
City made a poor start and were under the cosh for the first 10 minutes.
Sheffield were strong on the wings but appeared poor in attack. They missed
one good chance and Hallworth made a great save in a one-on-one incident, the
first of many fine saves from him on the night. The defence were very
uncomfortable but as it appeared they had weathered the storm, Sheffield went
ahead on 12 minutes.
>From a break down the right wing, a decent centre was hit but somehow Paul
Devlin slipped Graham Mitchell to plant a header past the helpless Hallworth
from 6 yards. At this point, the worst was being feared but it woke City up.
Within 7 minutes, we were level.
The goal started innocuously. A centre was overhit but John Williams chased
it and somehow threw his leg out and hit the ball behind him with his back to
goal. The ball looped and as it fell, Kevin Nugent charged in. It was a
50/50 with the keeper but Nugent won and the ball found its way inside the far
post. There was absolute bedlam amongst City fans which continued for a while
as the restart was held up for 3 to 4 minutes. Sheffield's keeper seemed to
be knocked out by Nugent's challenge and it did seem with stretchers and St
Johns standing around, that he was about to be taken off. All of a sudden, he
was up again and the game carried on.
City were into their stride and not overawed at all. Problems at the back
seemed to be sorted out although Sheffield always posed a threat wide and the
midfield plus strikers were winning challenges all over the pitch. Hallworth
had to make a couple more saves but the best chances of the half both fell to
City in a purple 5 minute patch before half-time.
The first of these was undoubtedly the best move of the match. Receiving the
ball inside in his own half, Richard Carpenter looked up and played the most
fantastic pass over a Sheffield central defender into space towards the
touchline near Sheff Utd's area. Mark Delaney tore down the wing and hit a
perfect first time centre. Although Sheffield raced back, the ball was met by
Craig Middleton near the penalty spot and he headed towards goal. It looked
in all the way but, agonisingly, went inches wide.
It was a moment of genuine quality.
A couple of minutes later, John Williams won another header in a penalty area
scrap and the ball was heading into the net. At the last moment, Alan Kelly
flung himself across goal and seemed to push the ball away as it was about to
cross the line behind him. Shortly afterwards, Premiership referee, Jeff
Winter, who really did City no favours with some bizarre decision making, blew
up for half-time. City ended the half in the ascendency and it was hoped this
would continue playing towards the City fans.
H/T Sheff Utd 1 Cardiff 1City fans were buzzing at half-time and
everybody believed that having fought
back from the opening onslaught and goal, the match was now ours. I briefly
met Jason "Psycho" Perry who was in the middle of the stand with the City
fans. According to those near him, he was about the maddest and loudest fan
there singing his head off and ayatollah'ing like mad. What a man, he'll
always be one of the boys and it's hard to imagine any professional players
who will always remain passionate about their team and still mingle so openly
with its fans. It's not the first time this season either, Psycho was with
the fans on the supporters coaches to Swansea. I spoke to him at the end, he
was as gutted as me, and says Hull will definitely stay up. He's enjoying it
there but wishes he was at City this, and every, season.
There's not a lot I can say about the second half. Sheffield came at us from
kick-off, obviously had a half-time rollocking and City could not deal with
it. We were blown away with goals in the 52nd, 58th and 65th minutes and it
could have been worse.
Sheffield nearly, perhaps should have, scored within 30 seconds of the
restart. They then camped around City's goal and we were unable to clear the
ball. After a series of corners, they made it 2-1 when the ball fell to David
Holdsworth inside the 6 yard area and he placed the ball high into the top
corner.
Sheffield carried on and were pulling City apart. The defence were dodgy and
Hallworth made more fine saves. The post was hit before the 3rd goal was
scored when a player was again unmarked in the City area.
At this point the game was over with John Williams and Wayne O'Sullivan being
removed for Andy Legg and Jason Bowen. Shortly afterwards, Danny Hill
replaced Craig Middleton but the flow didn't stop and Sheffield made it 4-1
when Graham Stuart angled a shot across goal from 12 yards.
In all honesty, City didn't have a shot in the second-half and were well
beaten but did try. Jason Bowen showed excellent pace and touches and will
clearly be an asset. After these goals, the rest of the match was a non-event
and time was played out by both sides.
The supporters chanted until the end and never stopped. At 4-1 down, it can
only be Cardiff fans who would chant, "you're not singing anymore" to
Sheffield rather than the other way around! They were also advised where to
stick The Full Monty.
Tonight is not the night to ask questions. Frankie has rightly said that the
players and the season has been superb so far and not to be affected by a poor
20 minute show. If it was going to happen, it's better for it to be in the
F.A. Cup rather than the league. Anyway, on February 13, it's F.A. Cup Round
5 and we're going to North London to play a team with A,R,N & E in their name.
Shame it's Barnet and not Arsenal!
The second-half was a tragedy after the promises of the first-half but it's
gone - forget it. The F.A. Cup run was fine but not what this season is
about. The Blues are going up - being Champions too will make up for this.
The only other consolation is that City have immediately bounced back from a
defeat with a good win in the past few months. Bring on Brentford!!!
Report from Sporting Life.
Sheffield United skipper David Holdsworth scored
his third vital goal in four games to help set up a
money-spinning FA Cup fifth round clash at
Double-winners Arsenal as the Blades beat Cardiff
4-1 at Bramall Lane.
Holdsworth's 52nd-minute scrambled effort sparked
a rampant second-half performance as United
celebrated their biggest win since boss Steve
Bruce took over last summer.
After four months out with a knee injury, Holdsworth
returned to grab a vital 89th-minute equaliser in a
2-2 draw at Swindon nearly three weeks ago.
Then, in Saturday's third round replay at Notts
County it was Holdsworth's goal five minutes from
time which gave the Blades new heart after they
had trailed 3-1, eventually winning 4-3 in extra-time.
The central defender is now beginning to outshine
Bolton striker and brother Dean up front, with his
goal knocking the stuffing out of Third Division
leaders Cardiff.
The last 16 tie at Highbury was sealed six minutes
later when 18-year-old sub Lee Morris, on at
half-time for Michael Twiss, rammed home his first
goal for the club in his 15th appearance - all from
the bench.
Marcelo and Graham Stuart then both went close
before the former Chelsea and Everton midfielder
drove home the fourth off the legs of keeper Jon
Hallworth, who had earlier proved the hero.
The Blades could have been four goals clear by the
time Kevin Nugent headed a 19th-minute equaliser,
but for the agility of Hallworth.
Holdsworth and Paul Devlin were both denied by
superb saves by the former Oldham number one,
before the latter made no mistake for the opener in
the 13th minute, sidefooting home a Vas Borbokis
right-wing cross from six yards.
Hallworth's best of the half followed within three
minutes as Borbokis looked certain to score from
point-blank range with a near-post flick, only for
Hallworth to brilliantly block.
It spurred the visitors, who capitalised within three
minutes and it was all credit to leading scorer John
Williams.
With the ball running out of play for a goal-kick,
Williams chased a lost cause and managed to hook
it over his head for Kevin Nugent to nod home his
12th of the season.
The forward clattered keeper Alan Kelly in the
process, who required lengthy treatment, but
Stockton referee Jeff Winter let the goal stand.
After a stale spell, Cardiff should have gone into the
break a goal up, but Craig Middleton shaved the
left-hand post with a free header in the 42nd minute
before a stunning chance moments later.
Middleton's ball was knocked across the face of
goal by Williams and just when former Blade Jeff
Eckhardt looked as if was going to stab home from
a yard, Kelly somehow flicked the ball off his toes.
They paid the price as United grabbed the game by
the scruff of the neck following the interval, with the
only blemish on the night the moment when
assistant-manager John Deehan was ordered from
the touchline in the 45th minute.
Deehan is still awaiting to appear in court after
being arrested by a policewoman for foul and
abusive language during the game at QPR in late
November.
On this occasion the incident was not as serious,
Deehan having strong words with a linesman,
resulting in him being sent to the stands by referee
Winter.
Blades manager Bruce admitted afterwards it was
his strong words at half-time that helped turn the tie.
"It took a few choice words at half time which
seems to be par for the course these days," he
explained.
"Maybe they (the players) like to see me lose my
temper now and again and send me a little bit grey.
"But I was delighted with the response which had to
be instant. We were lethargic in the first half but then
we took the game by the scruff of the neck in the
second."
United can now look ahead to a last-16 date with
Arsenal and Bruce added: "I am delighted for
everybody concerned.
"There's been a lot of doom and gloom at this place
since I arrived, but this will give a lot of people a lift,
and it will be a day out in London for the supporters.
"But most importantly, there's the revenue. It puts a
few quid in the coffers, and I'm sure it will please the
board."
Cardiff boss Frank Burrows is hoping the defeat
doesn't spark a poor run of League form as his side
are still on course for promotion.
He said: "My players, so far this season, have done
ever so well. I've told them not to let 20 second-half
minutes spoil what has been a good season for
them.
"We've got plenty to look forward to and plenty to
keep fighting for, and while I'm not particularly
happy, our season isn't finished."
Report from Soccernet.
United earned themselves a big pay day in London after
brushing aside the Third Division leaders at Bramall
Lane.
Hard-up United are guaranteed around £250,000 for their
Fifth Round clash against Cup holders Arsenal.
Steve Bruce's side, knocked out of the Cup by an Alan
Shearer goal in last year's semi-final against Newcastle,
stunned Cardiff with a lightening spell which produced
three goals in 14 minutes.
They were let off the hook just 20 seconds into the game
when Craig Middleton burst through to hammer in a low
drive from a tight angle pushed around the post by the
alert Alan Kelly.
The Sheffield side almost snatched the lead in the fourth
minute when former United defender Jeff Eckhardt
dithered in front of goal, skipper David Holdsworth stuck
out a foot only to see his shot stopped on the line by Jon
Hallworth.
Paul Devlin back from suspension squandered a chance
minutes later. Brazilian striker Marcello flicked the ball on
and the little frontman saw his shot from 12 yards stopped
by the 'keeper.
United escaped in the 11th minute when full back Mark
Delaney found space on the right flank his low cross was
aimed for John Williams but the ball fell just behind him
and before Williams could recover, the ball was hoofed
clear.
United swept ahead in the 13th minute, Greek
International Vas Borbokis pumping in a perfect cross for
Devlin to finish off with a crisp header from eight yards.
Borbokis went close minutes later connecting with a
Wayne Quinn centre only for his close range strike to
cannon off the 'keeper's legs.
Cardiff were back on level terms in the 19th minute with
the United back four desperately appealing for a foul on
their 'keeper.
Striker Kevin Nugent started and finished the move. His
pass found Williams who hooked the ball back and
Nugent jumped with Kelly before heading over the line.
The United 'keeper needed treatment for several minutes
following the clash.
Cardiff threw away a simple chance three minutes before
the interval with the United defence caught flat-footed.
Delaney picked out midfielder Craig Middleton standing
unmarked ten yards from goal and he pulled his header
well wide of the mark with a gap yawning in front of him.
Holdsworth slammed in United's second in the 53rd
minute from a Borbokis corner. Marcello headed the ball
on, Hallworth clawed out the ball at the foot of the far post
and the big centreback charged in to bundle the ball over
the line.
Substitute Lee Morris killed off brave Cardiff in the 58th
minute after Marcello had caused problems in the box.
He found Borbokis and when he mis-cued the ball rolled
kindly to Morris who beat the 'keeper from 15 yards.
Marcello had an effort tipped over and Graham Stuart hit
the woodwork from a tight angle before grabbing United's
fourth in the 67th minute rifling in a low drive after
Marcello's earlier effort had been stopped. |
(Hill 70)