Report from NigelBlues.
Frank Burrows after a defeat at Bury stopped giving after match press
interviews saying, "I'm fed up of saying the same things". Can he really be as
fed up as the hardy Cardiff City fans who follow their club home and away who are seeing
the same things? Surely not.
Many Cardiff fans would have been happy for a point at the only club unbeaten at home
before kick-off but today was an outstanding opportunity to collect three points. For the
neutral, this was undoubtedly an entertaining match with plenty of incident but for
Bluebird fans, it was frustration as City played the whole 2nd half with an extra player
... you would never have thought it. A lack of urgency, imagination and shots at goal
meant a draw was a fair result and Cardiff were perhaps lucky not to lose at the end. In
fact, Bristol had more efforts.
And so the misery piles on. The third successive game in which City failed to score, City
have only scored 2 goals in the past 8 matches, 10 wins in the last 44 league games, 5
wins in 25 Division 2 matches.
Cardiff and Bristol fans alike had a major problem getting to the game as wonderful
planning organisation by Bristol Council saw a major road closure today near one of the
main access routes to Ashton Gate caused gridlock. The game started 10 minutes late
although fans were still arriving long after kick-off.
As usual, Frank introduced changes with Low switched to right wing back, Middleton
continuing in central defence, Danny Hill in midfield and Bowen back up front due to
personal choice or injury.
Cardiff started well. They were passing the ball around nicely with showing neat touches
but as usual, it counted for little when it came to shots at goal. However there were some
worthy efforts. A Jason Fowler free-kick saw a headed deflection stop the ball heading for
top corner, a dashing Josh Low burst and ball across the box saw Andy Legg smash a volley
over the bar at an angle. One touch passing ended in a Jason Fowler dipping volley from 30
yards that troubled Mercer in the Bristol goal and then another Legg scissor kick didn't
quite have the power.
Slowly but surely, the possession and territory advantage shifted and Bristol woke up,
helped by Cardiff's passing game deteriorating badly. It was frustrating to watch
professional players unable to put two passes together.
Jeff Eckhardt and Russell Perrett were on form at the back, Eckhardt in particular seemed
to get a head or a foot everywhere. Bristol's attack looked as lightweight as ours. It was
lead by ex-Jack Steve Torpey who was left in no doubt that Cardiff fans remembered where
he used to play. But he created their most dangerous chance when a cross was met on 8
yards and headed powerfully at goal, Hallworth was excellent to get down and tip the ball
around the post. Another header shortly after flew just wide of the opposite post. Josh
Low has much to do defensively and nearly cost Cardiff dear by going to sleep and letting
a Bristol player broke through. Only his pace enabled him to block in time.
What was noticeable was that Bristol, like Preston, were happy to shoot whenever their
advancing midfielders or forwards had the ball. This produced continual efforts at
Cardiff's goal. How much longer can we expect to continue watching Cardiff midfielders in
similar positions never look at goal and instead can only think of pushing the ball wide?
It is ridiculous.
Carpenter however was close with a drive from 25 yards that was blocked for a fruitless
corner.
All this possession hardly cheered the Bristol support which was, vocally, the worst I
have ever heard at Ashton Gate. They were outchanted comprehensively by the 1,800
travelling Cardiff fans for the whole game and were rarely heard to make any noise.
All that changed on the stroke of half-time when real drama changed the game. A ball was
sent to the far left post, Legg was beaten in the air and as Hallworth came to punch, he
was impeded causing the ball to fly in the air. It fell to Timitarisu who drilled home
from 8 yards. Jack Torpey loved it and started waving his fist to us and the referee
signalled goal.
Bristol were celebrating but hadn't noticed the assistant flagging. City players applauded
him for noticing the foul on Hallworth but Bristol players were less happy and Tinnion
went over to argue while the referee was trying to find out why he flagged. After
consultation, the ref disallowed the goal and gave City a free kick and now it was the
City fans celebrating like crazy.
But still it hadn't finished as Tinnion turned to the linesman and started abusing him.
According to many Cardiff fans, he also spat at the linesman and his flag went up again.
After consultation, the referee had no option but to red card Tinnion. It was mayhem.
Within 40 seconds, Bristol had gone from being 1-0 ahead to 0-0 and reduced to 10 men.
Half-time Bristol City 0 Cardiff City 0
Cardiff fans cheered at the start of the second half as Frankie looked to have gone
positive and maximise the man advantage. Middleton was substituted for Christian Roberts.
So were we more attack minded? Were we hell!! If someone can explain Frankie's logic of
sticking Roberts on the right wing, withdrawing Bowen into the hole and leaving Nugent as
the sole striker, you're a better man than me. Just as you think it's not possible for
Frankie to devise more bizarre tactics, he proves you wrong.
At the start of the half, Bristol showed more eagerness and fight and were in the
ascendancy. City were far too casual and, as is becoming normal, lightning bursts down the
wing by Low , Bowen or Legg stop altogether as they stop and look for someone to pass to
or wait for others to support. Hallworth was required to make two or three saves, punch or
catch.
Cardiff at last woke up and had a purple patch. But when the chances arrived, they were
fluffed. A good Bowen cross saw Nugent head straight into Mercer's arms from 7 yards when
either side of him would have scored. A Legg centre was missed by everyone and dropped to
Josh Low 10 yards out with only Mercer to beat. It should have been a goal but saw 1,800
Cardiff fans beat their heads in frustration as his screwed effort flew across goal and
out for a throw in. Richard Carpenter was so unlucky with a 30 yard dipper that appeared
to be sailing over but dropped suddenly to hit the underside of the bar, then the post and
away. A fantastic effort that deserved to break the deadlock.
Then City fell away again and Bristol were looking stronger. Pressure was in the Cardiff
half and late blocks, tackles and scrambled clearances were the order of the day. However
City broke upfield and Fowler, brilliant one minute, dreadful the next, volleyed a dipping
effort which saw Mercer produce one of the saves of the season to arch backwards and tip
over the bar.
The pendulum swung back Bristol's way and they came closest to winning thematch in the
final few minutes as defensive errors saw Goodridge try an overhead effort that was
goalbound. Russell Perrett flung himself at the ball and superbly managed to head over the
bar.
The closing minutes saw City attack but with no real penetration. Josh Low seemed
reluctant to cross unless he had beaten his marker twice, why Josh?, and on the opposite
side, Christian Roberts blew an opportunity to impress. He looked sluggish, spent all
afternoon going across the park and got a yellow card for kicking the ball away too. His
performance effectively made it a 10 vs 10 game in the 2nd half.
Carpenter had another 25 yard drive which produced the biggest laugh of the afternoon as
he missed by inches but smashed a policeman on the back of the head. Good to see the
copper take it in good humour with the City fans too.
The last chance fell to Bristol and probably should have produced a winner as Timitarisu
met aa cross unchallenged on 8 yards. His diving header flew into the crowd much to
Cardiff's relief.
The final whistle blew and Cardiff fans, who supported the team to the finish, chanted and
applauded. The players responded. On present form, the club have better supporters than
on-the-field performances and results deserve. It really must get better and soon.
Finally to Frank Burrows, yes, I'm fed up of writing the same stuff game after game after
game too!
Report from Sports.com
Bristol City had their playmaker Brian Tinnion sent off as they were denied a goal
in a fast moving but controversial Severn Bridge derby.
The midfielder saw red just before the interval for directing "foul and abusive
language" at the assistant referee.
Hia anger exploded after a shot from Ion Tistimetanu had beaten Cardiff keeper Jon
Hallworth.
Referee Mike Dean, who was inside the six-yard area, immediately signalled a goal but then
saw his assistant Paul Norman flagging.
After consulting him he changed his verdict and gave Cardiff a free-kick for a challenge
by Steve Torpey on the keeper.
It should have been the turning point in the match but Cardiff failed to press home their
one-man advantage in the second half.
Their manager Frank Burrows said: "I would have settled for a draw before the start
and although it is never easy playing against ten men the result showed the weakness in
the lower divisions. We lacked the subtlety and patience which would have brought us a
win. There was plenty of effort and sweat but not enough thinking to break them
down." Burrows refused to comment on the controversial red card saying he ws 65 yards
away but had glanced to the linesman as the ball went in and saw his flag was raised.
Forthright Bristol City manager Tony Pulis said: "They were given a free-kick and we
were robbed of a goal. The match video failed to show any contact with the keeper. That
decision saw a legitimate goal wiped out and then we were further hampered by having
Tinnion sent off." The game was never short of tempo with Cardiff's Jason Fowler
almost catching his old club with an early dipping shot, and Mick Bell shot through the
Welsh defence to flash a drive just wide of the keeper.
Chances came and went at both ends and two former Bristol City players, Fowler and Kevin
Nugent, combined in one raid which almost gave Cardiff the lead.
Hallworth, though, made a brilliant save to keep out a downward header from Paul Mortimer.
He got down well to scoop the ball away at the foot of his right-hand post for a corner.
Bristol City re-shaped for the start of the second half and they came under more and more
pressure as the match wore on. Cardiff's Joshua Low and Jason Bowen created a chance on
the right, only for Bowen's cross to Nugent to be cut out by home keeper Billy Mercer.
Cardiff then nearly took the lead on the hour when a 30-yard shot from Richard Carpenter
hit the angle of bar and upright.
Mercer had to arch his back to turn a driving volley from Fowler over his bar but with
both goalkeepers showing fine form, it was left to Hallworth to bring off the final save
as Tistimetanu threw himself full length at a cross from substitute Greg Goodridge.
Report from TotalWales.
IF Cardiff City fail to beat the Second Division drop they may look back on
yesterday’s trip to Ashton Gate with some regret.
The entire second period was played with Bristol City down to 10 men after Brian Tinnion
saw red when Ivan Tistimetanu’s goal was controversially ruled out on the
stroke of half-time.
But Cardiff failed to make their numerical advantage count, the nearest they came to a
winner Richard Carpenter’s 58th-minute scorcher which struck the inside of a post.
Having chiselled out a point when reduced to eight men at Cambridge two weeks ago, City
know full well that breaking down a weakened unit is not a straight-forward exercise.
But this was clearly a wasted opportunity to gain ground in the relegation scrap and
deliver a serious blow to one of the sides near them in the table.
“The last few weeks have shown up the weaknesses of the lower divisions,” said
City manager Frank Burrows who adopted a more attacking approach at the start of the
second half with Christian Roberts replacing Craig Middleton.
“You’ve got to be patient, pass the ball and get it wide. But we lacked the
subtlety at times and weren’t clever enough in midfield and up front to break down
their defence.
“I was a little disappointed that we lacked that bit of patience to provide the
better quality ball into the box.”
Tinnion was sent off when the majority of the 10,568 crowd thought they should have been
celebrating. Mickey Bell’s shot looped into the air and Cardiff ’keeper Jon
Hallworth came under pressure on his line from Steve Torpey.
The former Swansea City striker did not appear to infringe and the ball bounced loose for
Tistimetanu to drive home from 12 yards.
Wirral referee Mike Dean initially awarded the goal but his assistant Paul Norman
furiously waved his flag, deeming Torpey’s challenge as illegal.
Bristol’s anger was evident as a few foolish words from Tinnion to the assistant
referee left him with a long walk to the dressing-room.
Burrows said, “I looked to the linesman when it happened and I saw the flag go up
immediately.
“He kept it up and in my opinion that was a foul. End of story.” Predictably,
Bristol City manager Tony Pulis had a completely different view on the game’s
defining moment.
“The referee was five yards from the incident and gave the goal,” said Pulis,
who had to be ushered away from the officials by club stewards at half time.
“I’ve seen the match video and there was nothing wrong with the challenge.
“It’s a disgrace but you’ve just got to live with it because officials
affect games.
“That decision changed the game because not only should we have been a goal ahead but
we would have had 11 men had it been given.”
Even with an extra man Cardiff - with with assistant manager Billy Ayre missing from his
usual place in the dug-out - could not take control of the contest.
Kevin Nugent headed straight at Billy Mercer and the home goalkeeper superbly tipped over
from Jason Fowler.
Carpenter went close again after hitting the woodwork but there were also near misses at
the other end.
Russell Perrett cleared Alex Meechan’s overhead kick off the line and Tistimetanu
spurned a glorious chance in stoppage time by sending his header over from six yards.
Cardiff were forced to defend for most of the first period as they tried to get last
Monday’s 4-0 horror home defeat to Preston out of their system.
They were grateful for Hallworth’s reflexes in the 17th minute when Paul
Mortimer’s header appeared destined for the bottom corner of the net.
Bell sounded a warning with two long-range efforts and City went close when
Carpenter’s drive flew inches wide. But it was hardly an affair to get the pulse
racing until Torpey’s challenge on Hallworth set off a dramatic
chain of events.
Report from the Mirror.
A PHANTOM challenge saw Bristol's Brian Tinnion sent off for the third time in his
long career. From deep on the left, he has seen his cross turned past the
Welsh club's goalkeeper by Moldovan international Ivan Tistimetanu and had raced into the
goal area to join his team-mates' celebration.
But it was cut short as referee Mike Dean, having first signalled a goal, then saw his
assistant Paul Vaughan, 35 yards away, waving his flag.
After a brief discussion with his fellow official, Dean reversed his decision and gave
Cardiff a free-kick for a foul on goalkeeper Jon Hallworth by Bristol striker Steve Torpey
as both went up for Tinnion's cross.
It was all too much for 31-year-old midfielder Tinnion, who ran across to demonstrate with
Vaughan and soon found himself trudging off - two minutes before half-time - accused of
using "foul and abusive language".
Later, Bristol City club officials could find no trace on the match video of any contact
between Torpey and Hallworth, only the keeper stretching over the striker's shoulder in
his attempt to punch the ball.
Bristol manager Tony Pulis claimed: "That change of decision saw a quite legitimate
goal wiped out. In fact, we were kicked twice, once by the match officials and then by
having Brian was sent off."
Cardiff boss Frank Burrows refused to be sucked into the row. He was, as he pointed out,
65 yards away but as the ball went in he glanced down the line and saw the flag up. So,
for him, it was the correct decision to have the effort ruled out.
But for Pulis, it was chronic frustration all the way.
He had to reconstruct the left flank of his defence after full-back Mickey Bell limped out
of the game at half-time with a knee injury in a match which saw his team slump to their
10th home league draw since he took over back in the summer.
Six of those matches have been goalless, and without his playmaker Tinnion there was
hardly a sign of one coming in the second half.
Tinnion had been involved in their other good chance, which resulted in a downward header
from former Charlton man Paul Mortimer, brilliantly kept out by Hallworth at the foot of
his right-hand post.
A 30-yard pile-driver from Dick Carpenter rocked the Bristol bar in the second half with
Bristol keeper Billy Mercer beaten, and the Welshmen then had another chance cleared off
the line.
And there was still time for the the dangerous Gregory Goodridge to race past Andy Legg
and cross into the Cardiff goal area. Hallworth blocked Torpey's close-range shot, but it
needed Russell Perrett's intervention to save the visitors, brillliantly clearing Scott
Murray's scissor-kick from under his own crossbar.
The action was frenetic as the two old rivals met for the first time for over seven years
as Cardiff were looking to recover from a mauling by Preston six days earlier and win for
the first time at Ashton Gate in more than 30 years.
But it all left Cardiff's boss as frustrated as Pulis as well as the near-11,000 crowd
after a match which had started 10 minutes late due to traffic congestion.
Burrows said: "With a one-man advantage we had chances enough to win, but we couldn't
break them down.
"That is the weakness of the lower divisions. There was plenty of effort and sweat
but we lacked subtlety and a little bit of patience."
He added: "Before the start, I would have settled for a draw. But as it turned out, I
now feel disappointed." |
