| Report by
NigelBlues I'm doing this before I
fall asleep of boredom.
Those who didn't go can now say I told you it wasn't worth bothering, those
who went and got in free because they were season ticket holders just, and
only just, had value for money. Pity anyone who paid.
Typical bloody Cardiff City - after advertising everywhere it's a 7.30 kick
off, we strolled along Sloper Road at 7.25 to be greeted by a programme seller
and steward waving like they were on board a sinking ship. HMS Ninian Park, I
guess.
Thinking it's their little gag to get me to buy the 80p special programme (you
know the type!) before it sells out, we continue the stroll. When we get
there, they tell us that the game kicked off at 7.15!!!
Quick mention of the side
Kelly
Phillips, Eckhardt, Jarman, Mitchell
Cadette, Middleton, Brazier, O'Sullivan ©
Williams, Saville
sub: Bonner, Roberts, Delaney
So Frankie kept his word of trying some squad members. Kelly a debut in goal
and chances were given to Phillips, Cadette, Middleton and Saville. Frankie
wasn't there and left Billy Ayre in charge.
The one who took his chance least was Andy Saville. The man says he is back
to stay and fighting for his place - my arse! He showed little commitment and
enthusiasm. He wouldn't win a place at the front of a queue in a Darby and
Joan dance on tonight's showing.
In fairness, he wasn't the only one. The general performance was half-hearted
and City seemed to be treating it as a training excercise. They're virtually
guaranteed qualification to the next round if they finish in top 3 and as
group includes Rhyl and Merthyr, City seemed to take it for granted.
City didn't really work the Bangor keeper from what I saw in 1st half and
Kelly made a smart save. The goal came with virtually the last kick of the
half and was a beauty.
Not sure who scored but he got the ball about 30 yds out, controlled it and
hit a beautiful shot into the opposite top corner at the Canton End leaving
Kelly helpless.
It deserved applause and he got more when he followed it up with a triple toe
loop, salko and double somersault running back to the half way line. Think
Earnie needs to add more to his routine - where was he tonight?
Missed the start of the 2nd half as it was better in the bar
but someone for
City hit the post. John Williams was lively and for the 1st time, City and
Jarman were playing the right balls to him, hit in front giving him something
to attack. He nearly equalised with a great run through the middle but his
shot was well saved. Other times he got the ball on the wing and looked up to
see ... Andy Saville? No he didn't see Saville as he was still back on the
half-way line.
Bangor played well and possibly deserved the win. Kelly made a couple more
good saves and they created other chances.
In the last 15 minutes, Lee Phillips had what seemed to be a goal not given
when he met a corner kick with a firm header. However a Bangor player headed
it out from behind the line. The ref and linesmen tonight were appalling
again - happy to make the most of their 15 mins of fame. Wayne O'Sullivan
played well too and had a couple of cracking shots in the 1st and 2nd half -
he has improved immensely. He also played Middleton in superbly with great
skill but his shot was saved.
The sponsors gave Lee Jarman man of the match but I don't know how they picked
anyone. I can only guess they put all the City numbers into a hat, pulled out
9, realised it was Saville, put it back in and pulled out no 5 instead.
All subs were used. A couple were baffling, Brazier went off half-time but
Christian Roberts was put wide on the wing in his place when he's a right
footer. It didn't work.
Billy Ayre also gave Craig Middleton a severe pitchside rollocking when he was
taken off and was pointing him in the chest several times and then down the
tunnel but I don't know why. He performed better than most. Maybe he told
him to get the bath and cups of tea ready.
Loads of boos at the final whistle (crowd was 900, it looked a bit more, maybe
the season ticket holders who got in free weren't counted) and all of us happy
it ended and could finally go - the less said, the better.
Only other thing to add was the appearence of the new 3rd kit (jesus, you
still can't get the 1st and 2nd kit in most sizes!). Looked quite nice - the
late 60's/early 70's kit in all blue with simple white collar and the word
bluebird on chest. The only differences are its now in tit itchy polyester
and has CMB Engineering on it. Glad it's back to league action on Saturday. |
(Delaney 71)