Report from NigelBlues.
Now I've watched Cardiff City play home and away hundreds of times but if
someone told me one of the games that will stay in my memory forever would be
a nil-nil draw on a cold, grey day at Cambridge in a match where we hardly conjured any
shots, I would have laughed.
But tonight, I am celebrating being one of the Cardiff fans who can say we not only saw
the last City match of the Century but that "I was there" on the day we had 8
men missing before we left Cardiff and 8 men left after 90 minutes and still got a result.
There was little taste of what was to come when our coach only got to ex-70's City star,
Dave Carver's pub, near Cambridge shortly before 2pm thanks to icy weather setting out
and, kid you not, a shed fire causing a diversion. All fortified in record time, we
arrived at Cambridge just before kick off to try the much hyped bacon rolls which were
exactly that - much hyped!! Where did this rumour start that they offer the best bacon
rolls in football?
Before kick off, most City fans would have settled for a draw and the club were missing 8
players, 6 of whom would probably have started, due to flu and injuries. The club were
forced to name the only 16 fit players left on the books. It was obvious the 5 youngsters
or never-will-bes on the bench would be used in an extreme emergency only.
There really was no hint of the amazing drama to follow in a drab, lifeless first half.
The only talking point amongst City fans was that the ref was the Premiership's David
Elleray and a suspicion that he would play a part in the afternoon's proceedings. Well, he
likes to be seen or make it known he's about, doesn't he? We were right.
But for 40 minutes, we may as well have stayed in the pub, watched a repeat at home on
telly or compared Xmas jumpers as there was no action on the pitch.
Jason Fowler was badly injured within 20 seconds of kick off with a head injury that held
up the game for nearly 5 minutes. Fowler carried on for the half but it was obvious he was
still quite concussed although he had City's only effort of the half, a nice run but a
shot blazed high and wide from 25 yards. Cambridge were no better and City, despite the
lack of resources, were comfortable. Their only real effort was a 20 yard mishit shot
which went through tamely to Hallworth.
But the game awoke for all the wrong reasons on half-time. Craig Middleton who had made a
few errors and shown poor distribution in the half against his old club went to sleep in
City's penalty area. He took too long to clear and was suddenly under pressure. He
succeeded only in knocking the ball out of the area towards Benjamin. There was no
immediate danger as Benjamin had his back to goal but Perrett closed him down and lunged.
Yes he caught the player, yes he had been booked earlier but Benjamin made the most of it
and the majority of referees would have simply awarded a free-kick. David Elleray however
decided it was a second yellow card offence and amazingly sent off Perrett. It was City's
2nd sending off of the season and both times, Perrett was the victim. This was an immense
blow as Perrett was City's best player and it also left only one tall centre back to
counter Cambridge's strike force. Within seconds, the half time whistle blew giving City
the chance to organise.
Half-time Cambridge 0 City 0
What City fans had done to cause exception to Cambridge's mascot, Marvin The Moose, I
really don't know. It had been a quiet game with no abuse whatsoever. But whoever the
prize pillock in that costume was deserves a good slapping for thinking it gives him or
her licence to walk onto the pitch and gesture provocatively to away fans.
Marvin decided to show what amazing bravado he had by standing 60 yards away from us,
poncing about on the pitch, giving City fans the come on, thinking
he was hysterically funny with an inflatable sheep (do they really think we've never seen
it before or don't laugh at it ourselves?) and mincing across the pitch. If that was
anyone other than a mascot, they would have been arrested for several offences. News
emerges that Elleray also red carded the mascot. Maybe it can go and fry to death with
Cyril The Swan and other sad excuse of a lower division football club that believe its
furry and polyester prats are an essential part of football.
Before the 2nd half started, Lee Phillips started warming up. Now we knew we were in
trouble! This was, after all, a defensive player/centre half who wasn't even able to get a
place on the bench when City have had real crisis's this season and use midfielders, like
Middleton, to fill the hole. Jason Fowler was unable to continue and was sent to hospital
but, thankfully, released with no severe problems.
The game hadn't really woken up although Elleray clearly had an appetite for booking City
players at regular intervals but not any Cambridge players. It was difficult to dispute
the bookings in isolation but it was apparent that Cambridge players were more prone to
diving than Jurgen Klinsman in a swimming pool. You could only assume that their desperate
situation called for this equally desperate ploy. But decisions were inconsistent.
How can you justify a Cambridge player hardly being spoken to for handling on the edge of
the area just before the hour. Richie Humphreys drove a free kick narrowly over the bar. A
couple of minutes later, Cambridge's tough striker, Benjamin, reacted after Middleton had
caught him from behind 30 yards from goal as if he had been run over by the population of
China. Result? 2nd yellow for Middleton and another sending off.
Nerves and passions ran high amongst City fans who, quite frankly, just could not believe
what they were seeing. City possibly have the least amount of sendings off of any team in
the past two seasons yet we now had 2 off in less than 20 minutes for innocuous fouls
that, in all honesty, most refs would not have cautioned for. It would have ruined the
game as a spectacle or event but it was never that to start with.
What it did however was galvanise the City players and supporters in a way that Cardiff
City fans will know and few other clubs will ever understand or experience. The support
knew City would be under siege so rather than resign, the players were given an extra
1,000% support increasing it to 10,000%.
>From the resulting free kick, Hallworth make a great save to an awesome shot with real
power and the fans started the Hallworth wave with arms swaying. The ayatollah was going
too and the decibels got louder and louder.
Cambridge decided to introduce another striker as substitute but City players, to a man,
were heroes showing a level of passion and commitment beyond expectations. Players were
literally throwing themselves at the ball and giving everything for the cause even though
it looked worse than hopeless. Cambridge however seemed a poor side and it was easy to
understand why they are in the position they are, so there was increasing confidence that
a point could somehow still be salvaged.
At the back, this game was made for Jeff Eckhardt who won tackle after tackle after
tackle. Winston was putting in a great show too with some excellent blocks, Low was
running the ball at every opportunity and Phillips looked ok.
City still found time to attack and Richie Humphries, who is perhaps showing the most
passion in a City shirt since Psycho Perky, hooked a shot over his shoulder and off the
underside of the bar. Just as well it never went in as Elleray would have disallowed it.
And then when you thought it couldn't get worse, guess what?, it did!
A deep cross from the left was headed back across goal to find Taylor unmarked on 8 yards,
as if we could mark everyone! His hooked shot was partially saved by Hallworth but still
goalbound when Lee Phillips dived to push the ball away, according to City fans in the
Cambridge end, with both hands. Cambridge supporters also believe the ball had already
crossed the line.
It was staggering to see Lee Phillips red carded and Cambridge given a penalty by Mr
Elleray. David Elleray seemed to remember there were two sides as, shock of shocks, he
booked a Cambridge player for a minor scuffle after the decision. Memories came flooding
back of the worst ref seen last season for City. Mr Barry Knight (how can we ever forget?)
but anyone remember the game was against Cambridge. Amongst his many crimes, he sent off
Mike Ford and gave Cambridge a penalty. Now don't ask me why but every City fan just
seemed to know Jon Hallworth would save it. Sure enough, Taylor stroked it too straight
and Hallworth saved.
In the mad scramble, Cardiff and Cambridge players squared up. A bit mad as City had 3
fewer to smash them with! But despite pushes, shoves and fists everywhere, Mr Elleray
couldn't find anyone to book or send off for the most unsavoury incident of the match.
>From this moment on, you knew City players had the bottle to see this out and it just
fired up the fans more and more. In fact, Abbey Stadium was booming to Cardiff support.
You would have thought we were the team with extra men and leading comfortably. City fans
were now so loud and passionate that some were complaining of headaches from all the
shouting and chanting. It was absolutely immense. Images of Rorke's Drift, Zulu, The Great
Escape, etc etc were in everyone's minds as we knew this could be the most heroic City
performance for years.
After spending all season complaining about Frankie's intransigence with the 3-5-2
formation, 3-3-1 looked like a winning combination and the way to go!! Suggestions are
that we should start with 8 next game. Richie was up front on his own and Captain Kevin
Nugent was made an emergency centre-half and looked a class act as he won every header and
clearance that came his way. City battled way beyond expectations and I just cannot do it
justice. It was only lowly Cambridge, but it was our team against the odds. The pride and
passion, even by our standards was just immense. Cambridge had no real answer.
Every time they broke through, a City player got in the way. Every boot upfield was
cheered as if City had scored a goal. Every shot was wide, blocked, cleared or found Jon
Hallworth was a rock in goals.
And yet still City came. Josh Low broke through three players and was charging through
with the last defender to beat. This was pure fantasy that we could score and win it and
it proved to be as the defender got a desperate tackle in. Winston Faerber found time to
charge down the right wing and hit one of the best crosses he has sent over all season.
The problem was no City player was within 20 yards of the penalty area and the ball was
cleared upfield to see Winnie chasing back and Frank Burrows going berserk at what he had
just seen.
Elleray found 2 minutes of extra time but City fans now had all the time to taunt
Cambridge with "you're not very good" and "8 men, we've only got 8
men" amongst many others and had done so throughout the closing stages.
When the 2 minutes were over, Elleray found another 2 minutes, still Cambridge came and
still Hallworth saved. Then he blew the final whistle. WE HAD DONE IT!!! THE FAMOUS
CARDIFF CITY HAD PRODUCED AN OUTSTANDING RESULT TO GO TO CAMBRIDGE WITH 8 PLAYERS MISSING,
GET 3 SENT OFF AND GET A DRAW!! It's the best miracle at Christmas for 2,000 years!!!
I know it sounds far fetched but there's no way Man United could have felt prouder or
happier than Cardiff City players and fans alike.Richie Humphreys was mobbed as he came to
the terrace. Frank Burrows walked across the pitch, threw off his cap and was dancing,
jumping up and down and doing the ayatollah. He has never been more animate. Every member
of City staff were celebrating on the pitch and every Cambridge player looked totally
haunted. And now they are going to bed to experience one of the worst nightmares of their
lives. And I loved every moment of that second half.
Only Cardiff City could finish the Century like this ... and ... I was there.
I love Cardiff City Football Club. Bloooooooooobirds!!!! I write this 7 hours after the
match finished and I'm still smiling at the memory of it all. What a day. Only those who
were there will truly understand.
Thank you Jon Hallworth, Winston Faerber, Jeff Eckhardt, Josh Low, Richey Humphreys, Kevin
Nugent, Mark Bonner and Richard Carpenter.I salute you all. We have to start a new FREE
THE CARDIFF THREE campaign for Perrett, Middleton and Phillips.
As Rocky would say after a battering but still getting a result, "Yo.....we did
it!!"
Report from TotalWales
CARDIFF CITY’S magnificent eight, led by skipper Kevin Nugent at the
heart of the defence, earned an astonishing draw against fellow relegation strugglers
Cambridge United.
The Bluebirds, already without six flu victims and three more injured, had Russell
Perrett, Craig Middleton and Lee Phillips dismissed, while Jason Fowler was taken to
hospital with a head injury.
It was an incredible match which saw referee David Elleray again in the midst of
controversy.
First to go was Perrett. He was booked after 44 minutes for a foul and then, four minutes
into injury time, he was sent off for a second bookable offence.
It looked a collision rather than a foul, as Perrett was trying to tidy up after Jon
Hallworth and Middleton had failed to clear.
If Perrett can feel a touch hard done by, Middleton could scarcely complain. He was booked
for a foul on Martin Butler after 50 minutes and dismissed when he tackled from behind
after 63 minutes. Again, Butler was the victim and Middleton joined Perrett in the
changing room.
Third to go was Phillips, on as substitute following the loss of Perrett. It looked a goal
for Cambridge as John Taylor shot, but Phillips threw out a hand and turned the ball away.
He was immediately sent off, leaving City with eight players and 15 minutes left, with
Cambridge looking set to score from the resulting penalty.
But the penalty, by 17-goal top scorer Butler, was saved by the superb Hallworth.
“That was a great save” said Nu-gent. “When he stopped that, I felt we
really had a chance.”
City’s eight, with Nugent and Richard Carpenter playing in central defence, were
incredible. They made it tough for Cambridge, who could find no way through.
At the end, City players hugged each other in delight and Richie Humphreys ran behind the
goal to shake hands with the City faithful who had cheered their team non-stop.
In contrast, Cambridge supporters yelled abuse at their manager, Roy McFarland, as he
walked away. Cambridge had kept their first clean sheet of the season, but Cardiff City
were getting all the plaudits.
Bluebirds manager Frank Burrows refused to speak to the press after the match and told
Billy Ayre not to make any comment either.
“We don’t want to be talking about the referee,” said Burrows.
He was clearly angry that his City team had three players sent off, but that was down to
rash challenges rather than anything referee Elleray got wrong.
Fowler was taken off at half-time and taken to hospital with a bad headache, but it was
thought to be no more than concussion.
Report from the Mirror
JON HALLWORTH inspired the late rearguard action which salvaged one of the
most unlikely points in Cardiff City's history.
Hallworth's brilliant save from Martin Butler, Cambridge's 17-goal top scorer, set the
tone for 15 minutes of heroism from the weary eight-man Bluebirds.
Russell Perrett had been dismissed by Premiership referee David Elleray on the stroke of
half-time for his second bookable offence. He was joined on the sidelines by Craig
Middleton, who was shown a second yellow card in the 63rd minute. And Lee Phillips was
dismissed by Elleray when he handled John Taylor's goalbound shot in the 75th minute.
That gave penalty specialist Butler the chance to snatch victory in a clash of two Second
Division strugglers. But Hallworth denied him and for the last 15 minutes Cardiff were
pinned in their penalty area as Cambridge rained in shots and crosses.
Veteran defender Jeff Eckhardt and skipper Kevin Nugent, pulled back from the front line
into a makeshift defence, battled away and led their team to an astonishing result.
As Cardiff's players acknowledged the cheers of their 500 fans at the final whistle,
Cambridge were booed off the pitch by their frustrated supporters.
The home team dominated from the start against a Cardiff side missing six regulars because
of a flu virus. But there were signs in a low-key first half that all was not well with
the Cambridge attack as Butler and Alex Russell failed to beat Hallworth after breaking
through.
Perrett was sent off seconds before half-time when he tangled with striker Trevor
Benjamin. And a home victory looked certain when former Cambridge midfielder Middleton
followed him down the tunnel. But despite their overwhelming superiority Cambridge could
not get the clear break they needed.
A minute after Middleton's departure, Hallworth saved Neil Mackenzie's flashing 25-yard
free-kick. But when Cardiff went down to eight men the keeper was so well protected he
hardly had a save to make.
There was one scare in the dying minutes when Winston Faerber, instead of holding the ball
by the corner flag, suddenly sent a huge cross to the other side of the pitch which
allowed Cambridge a rare break. But Cardiff's depleted ranks raced back in time to block
Taylor's cross.
Report from Sports.com
A dull match burst into life before half-time when referee David Elleray
showed a yellow card to Cardiff's Russell Perrett for the second time. Perrett was
dismissed but the numerical advantage was to increase as the match wore on.
There was little indication of the drama to follow in a tedious first half of little
action, sloppy passing and a catalogue of errors.
One of the country's leading scorers, Martin Butler, failed to live up to his reputation,
as the Cambridge striker sliced an early shot well wide of the target.
Cardiff had to wait until the 23rd minute for their first attack which ended tamely when
Josh Low blasted a wild shot out of the ground.
In the 41st minute Alex Russell threatened a breakthrough for Cambridge when his tricky
run saw hime beat three defenders, but Perrett got a vital foot in to turn the shot into a
tame backpass.
Perrett's next action was less welcome for the visitors when he clattered into Trevor
Benjamin and saw red.
The second half saw Cambridge desperate to make the extra man count. But they nearly fell
behind after 47 minutes when Low hit a 20-yard shot straight at keeper Shaun Marshall.
Cambridge again went close on 57 minutes when Benjamin cleverly turned Lee Phillips before
setting up Neil McKenzie, whose shot from the edge of the box curled just wide.
The cut and thrust continued when the hard-working Richie Humphreys whistled a 25-yard
free-kick inches over the bar on the hour.
Cardiff's attacking ambitions were further curtailed on 63 minutes when Craig Middleton
lunged into the back of Butler and was shown his second yellow card. From the resulting
free-kick McKenzie's 20-yard shot through the wall was brilliantly parried by Cardiff
keeper Jon Hallworth.
Hallworth was again the hero on 75 minutes. Jason Kavanagh's cross found Benjamin, whose
header was hooked goalwards by John Taylor. Although Hallworth got a hand to the
ball he made less contact than covering defender Lee Phillips, who was red-carded for
deliberate handball.
Butler's resulting penalty was poor and comfortably saved low down by Hallworth.
Although Cambridge bombarded the visitor's goal for the last 25 minutes, the eight men of
Cardiff held firm to earn a well-deserved point.
__________________________________________________
Sports.com rated City players as follows: Eckhardt and Humphreys got 8's. Hallworth got a
7. Sixes went to Bonner, Carpenter, Faerber, Fowler (taken off at the 46-minute mark),
Low, and Nugent. Fives went to the red card three -- Middleton, Perrett, and Phillips
(came on at the 46-minute mark). Earnshaw, Kelly, Roberts, and Thomas did not play.
Match Stats: Goal Attempts -- Cambridge 17, City 4. On Target -- Cambridge 9, City 1.
Neither side hit a bar or post. Fouls -- Cambridge 14, City 17. Offsides -- Cambridge 3,
City 2. Corners -- Cambridge 10, City 2.
Red cards went to Perrett (44 minutes, second bookable offense), Middleton (63 minutes,
second bookable), and Phillips (75 minutes, handball). |
