Report
from NigelBlues.
After paying 40.00 on food, petrol, drink etc to watch 40 minutes of
football
at Rochdale thanks to motorway mayhem, here I am again. A mug City mug
punter, paying 10.00 to watch what is, in reality, a reserve fixture and 20.00
when you add in food, drink, programme etc. In fairness to City, they have
not charged season ticket holders previously in this competition but needed
some income from the game. The 11,500 fee City earned for televising the
match was wiped out by a 12,000 bill for police and stewarding.
Bearing in mind the more important match on Friday in the league versus
Chester, City rested a number of players. Mad Frankie Burrows and Psycho-
Quote Hollins seemed to have made a pre-match agreement to "rest" a number of
regular first team players although injuries and in Swansea's case, FAW
suspensions, were also factors. Cardiff rested Fowler, Delaney, Hallworth and
Nugent and with 3 players on-loan and others injured, the bench was full of
youth players.
Given all my cyncism, the match itself was a cracker, the atmosphere was
pretty good too, and credit to both teams for that. City won, deservedly so,
on the strength on a strong second-half showing and thanks to our ex-Jacks of
Andy Legg and John Williams.
The match was in danger all day after monsoon type rainfall at times and got
the go-ahead after a pitch inspections at 5pm. Luckily it stopped raining at
this time but when we got to Ninian, the pitch was in amazing condition with
no puddles to be seen anywhere and a ball that ran true on the surface.
Fantastic job again Mr Groundsman!
Swansea fans seemed to have drama on the Culverhouse by-pass as one of their
caravans (sorry, coaches) broke a couple of minutes before the ground and the
fans had to transfer to other coaches. Their 200 or so fans were "penned" in
an area behind the Grange End goals surrounded boy police and stewards. Their
chants consisted of "we beat the scum 2-1" (just in case we'd forgotten!) and
er "we beat the scum 2-1". They provided a good comedy moment when Cardiff
fans shouted, "stand up if you're top of the league". Jacks fans hesitated
but all sat down!
Swansea looked the stronger, more experienced team and definitely had the
better of the first-half. However it was City who took the lead on 9 minutes
with a bizarre Dai Thomas goal.
A ball was played back to Swansea on-loan keeper (Freestone is injuired),
Gregg, who somehow sliced the ball straight to Dai Thomas leaving him with an
open goal from 10 yards. He nearly conspired to take too much time but
slotted home for his 1st Ninian Park goal. Dai removed his shirt and swung it
around in front of the Jacks fans, clearly intimidating them. So what? Alsop
did it to City when he scored the winner at the Vetch. However the ref didn't
agree and booked Dai. The faithfull spent the next 2 or 3 minutes in
hysterics at what they had seen. Funniest goal of the season by far.
The keeper never did as bad again but it became apparent, the Jacks have a
professional keeper who doesn't know how to kick a ball. Several times he
kicked into touch and often, he didn't reach the half-way line.
City should have pressed on but allowed Swansea to equalise 4 minutes later.
Their number 11, (Roberts?) was having a good game and was very threatening on the wing
won a corner with a mazy run. He chipped it into the middle and Big
Bird (Julian Alsop) powered home from 6 yards. Defensively, it was a mess as
Aslop headed home powerfully but how did our defence give a 6 ft 4" striker a
free header? There was nobody near him.
For much of the first-half, Swansea looked the more threatening but their only
avenue seemed to be feed the number 11. Sooner or later, City would sort it
out. However Kelly made a couple of great saves and other efforts whistled
just wide or over. At one stage, Legg and O'Sullivan swapped sides and Legg
tackled their number 11 every time. Whether he lost confidence, I don't know,
but he never looked the same threat after that.
Their were chances for City but their moves were over-elaborate or confined to
long range efforts. Thomas and Williams were not linking too well, Thomas
(looking really sharp!! - not!), was always behind the play when City broke
forward and Williams was often to work alone up front effectively.
Half-time came. It was evenly contested but Swansea looked the stronger team.
H/T City 0 Swansea 0
The second half was a different story as City
gained the upper hand and looked
the much better side. The key was our midfield took control with Bonner,
Middleton and Hill all palying well. Bonner had a good game and showed he is
ready when needed by City. This may be likely with suspensions likely to kick
in shortly. The other key was Andy Legg having a fantastic match but mainly
John Williams. Willo ran Swansea ragged during the 2nd half and made Jason
Smith, his marker, look 5 yards slower. City camped in the Swansea half and
they were restricted to the occasional break.
The lead was deservedly regained on the hour. From a corner hit to the far
post, Lee Jarman (occasionally impressive, occasionally not) headed back
across goal and Jeff Eckhardt turned the ball home from 5 yards. Eckhardt may
go into double figures for goals scored this season, a tremendous achievement
if he does.
Williams, back in form and with a great appetite, kept working away but it
must have been frustrating when he looked up to cross several times and saw
Dai still running towards the area.
Dai looks fitter but he is so slow. He tried and gave 100% but, like
Saturday, didn't beat a defender once and didn't get any shots in either. In
one great moment in the first hal, Dai shaped to shoot and went over on his
knees.
Against the run of play, but in keeping with a cup match, Swansea equalised
with another soft goal. There was some build up play before the bll was
presented to O'Leary 30 yards out. He shot low and the ball appeared to be
going wide but went into the corner of the net. It wasn't a hard shot and
should have been saved by Kelly.
John Hollins went beserk on the touchline. Now, I know this man is a pert-
time "actor" as he appears in Sky's Dream Team but has there ever been a
bigger Manager poser seen at Ninian. A cameraman was positioned between the 2 manager
benches. Whilst Frankie leaned against the dug-out and Billy did
simliar on the other sider of it, as did Curtis, Hollins was stood 5 yards
forward. He was looking towards the camera several times and positioning
himself with one leg on the turf and the other on the gravel. At one stage,
he complained when john Williams hit him with the ball. Willo got booked but
Hollins shouldn't have been anywhere near where he was. He's a Model Manager
alright!
At this stage, Cardiff fans were worried. Not so much about whether we won or
lost the game but that several first teamers were facing half-hour extra time
with another match less than 72 hours later.
City pressed on but just as we were resigned to another 30 minutes, John
Williams produced a beautiful winner to send the fans delerious. Receiving a ball just
ouside the area, Willo advanced on goal adn as the keeper came to meet him, he cracked a
hard shot high and past him which flew in off the bar. It was a
fantastic piece of finishing and in true Williams style, he milked it by
posing in front of all the City fans from the Canton Stand to the Grandstand.
So the Jacks had the long, journey home having been consigned to last minute
defeat. Now they know what we felt like! This win doesn't mean mean much
City win 20,000 for making the semi-finals but it felt good inside the ground.
Still, I'd gladly swap it if I we could guarantee 3 points against them on
April 18.
Kick off
Bonner has a crack
Williams goes close
Kelly yells at defence
O'Sullivan pressing forward
Williams hits the winner
Williams again from a different angle
A Very Happy Man
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