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Cardiff City 3-1 Town
Tuesday, 21st Oct 2014 21:56

Town’s undefeated run was halted at eight games as Cardiff came from a goal down to beat the Blues 3-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium. Daryl Murphy put Town ahead with a brilliant strike in the 29th minute, Peter Whittingham equalised with a similarly special effort on 37, before Federico Macheda netted two minutes after the break and Adam Le Fondre added the third on 69.

Skipper Luke Chambers and top scorer Murphy returned to an otherwise unchanged side with Tommy Smith dropping to the bench.

Stephen Hunt, who made his first start of the season in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Saturday, was amongst those who travelled but were omitted from the 18, along with Darren Ambrose and Alex Henshall. Youngster Matt Clarke was again named on the bench.

The Blues started the stronger and on four Murphy, returning after an achilles problem, brought the ball forward to the edge of the box before shanking his shot high and wide.

Cardiff were the first side to seriously threaten in the 13th minute when Anthony Pilkington curled a looping effort goalwards which Dean Gerken palmed over the bar, Christophe Berra having blocked the former Norwich man’s initial shot.

From the resultant corner, Conor Sammon missed Whittingham’s corner which somehow avoided everyone in the six-yard box until it reached Macheda beyond the far post. The former Manchester United man looked to cut the ball back and Cole Skuse did well to hook it away ahead of the awaiting Bluebirds.

As heavy rain joined the swirling wind, David McGoldrick sent a shot well wide, before Williams created an opportunity for Sammon. The Welshman fed the on-loan Derby striker on the right of the area but he scuffed the ball past the post and too far ahead of McGoldrick.

On 21 Craig Noone, who had been the home side’s brightest spark early on, had the ball in the net but after Macheda had strayed offside.

Williams shot wide from distance for Town, then at the other end Le Fondre smashed the ball well over from a Pilkington cross.

The game had been an even affair with Town having most of the ball, although with Cardiff perhaps having had the better of the chances, but on 29 the Blues went in front.


Bluebirds left-back Fabio made a mess of dealing with Chambers’s long ball forward and it fell to Murphy who took it on a few strides before slamming a superb strike into the right-hand corner of the net, giving keeper David Marshall no chance.

The Blues continued to press having gone in front via Murphy’s seventh of the season, Jonny Parr believing he should have been awarded a penalty when clipped as he looked to get onto a bouncing ball in from the left.

On 33 Williams was fouled by Bruno Ecuele Manga on the edge of the box but McGoldrick curled the freekick well over.

Four minutes later, the home side were on terms. Kevin Bru headed on Murphy’s clearance from a corner on the left. Whittingham out-muscled Williams, turned and then smashed a 25-yard strike beyond Gerken and into the net. It was a goal every bit as good as Murphy’s at the other end.

As the break approached, McGoldrick nodded a Mings cross from the left back into the box but Whittingham cleared.

The 1-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the first half, both sides having had spells in charge but without creating too many chances.

Cardiff had probably had the better of the opportnities prior to Murphy’s excellent goal, while the Blues had had more of the ball, passing it around confidently and with the trickery of Williams and McGoldrick causing the Cardiff backline a few headaches, although largely outside the box.

Whittingham’s strike gave keeper Gerken no chance, although the Blues will be disappointed not to have got the ball away by that stage. The goal was the ninth Town have conceded either directly or indirectly from corners in all competitions this season out of a total of 13.

Within two minutes of the restart, Cardiff went in front. Mings failed to deal with a Pilkington cross from the Bluebirds left at the far post while stretching, then Parr did exactly the same when it was sent back over from the right. Pilkington returned a low cross into the area and Macheda diverted into the net from close range.

In the 48th minute there was a minute’s applause amongst the crowd to mark the 48th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

The momentum was very much with the home side having gone in front with the Blues under pressure.

Full-back Fabio made a superb run down the left in the 55th minute, Gerken eventually blocking his stab at goal. The danger wasn’t gone and the Town keeper was forced into another save, pushing Noone’s 25-yard strike away to his right.

A minute later Mings was booked for a foul on Noone, the left-back’s fifth yellow card of the season meaning the 21-year-old will miss Saturday’s game against Huddersfield.

Just before the hour, Bru found Parr with a clever diagonal pass into his path on the right but Sean Morrison got ahead of the diving Williams to head the Norwegian’s cross behind, although referee David Coote and his linesman somehow saw it as a goalkick. Soon after, Fabio was booked for a late tackle on Williams.

The Blues went close to getting back on terms in the 66th minute when Williams chipped a right-wing cross to the far post having exchanged passes with Sammon and Murphy’s looping header dropped only just wide. Soon after, Balint Bajner replaced Sammon in the Town attack.

Three minutes after the Blues had almost levelled, the home side increased their lead. Morrison headed back Noone’s cross from the right and Le Fondre’s deflected effort beat the wrong-footed Gerken.

Teddy Bishop replaced Williams for the final 15 minutes as the Blues went chasing what appeared to be an unlikely comeback, the Bluebirds having dominated the second half.

On 79 Skuse shot well over from 20 yards, Bishop having played it to him after Bru had charged down a clearance, but opportunities to reduce the deficit were rare. With three minutes of scheduled time remaining Anderson took over from Bru.

Deep in injury time, McGoldrick headed Anderson’s cross from the right wide and Bishop shot well over but moments later referee Coote’s whistle confirmed Town’s first defeat since August 23rd, their first ever loss at Cardiff's new ground and their first to the Bluebirds by more than one goal.

While the first half had been evenly contested, the Blues were second best after the break having conceded the early goal.

Town, who drop to ninth, had one chance to get back in it when Murphy’s header looped just wide, but once the Bluebirds had scored their third the result was never in doubt.

Cardiff: Marshall (c), Brayford, Fabio, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Noone, Pilkington, Macheda (Ralls 84), Le Fondre (Maynard 78). Unused: Moore, Gabbidon, Connolly, Kim, Daehli, Maynard.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Mings, Chambers (c), Berra, Skuse, Bru (Anderson 87), Williams (Bishop 75), McGoldrick, Murphy, Sammon (Bajner 67). Unused: Bialkowski, Clarke, Smith, Tabb, Anderson, Bishop, Bajner. Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire). Att: 20,191.


Photo: Action Images



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WindsorBlue added 22:03 - Oct 21
Gutted, thought we could go above that lot down the road. In the grand scheme of things its not the end of the world (I base this purely on mathematics and logic, as I didn't attend, nor could I hear commentary via tinterweb...if that actually provides a decent insight), Cardiff under a new manager off the back of a great scalp on Saturday, would always be a point gained rather than lost. Just need to beat them at home to nullify the result and get all 3 on Saturday. Still think its the best we have been in years, and am actually excited about going to Portman Road for the footie as well as the pub!
4

PJH added 22:04 - Oct 21
No doubt we will now see the return to this site of a few that have had a disappointing couple of months.We were obviously going to lose a game some time but we now need to get things going again and look to start another unbeaten run.I did not go tonight but having been to 11 of the previous 12 and watched the Wigan game on TV, I am confident that we can have another good series of results starting on saturday.
4

bluefeast added 22:04 - Oct 21
Gerken in a pickle
-4

jas0999 added 22:05 - Oct 21
The undefeated run was always going to come to an end at some point, but nonetheless this is a very disappointing result. Probably wouldn't have been so bad if we had held on at Nottingham or beaten Blackburn. Those late goals look more costly now and leaves us with just three points from last twelve, which is mid table form at best.

Still think we are lacking in some areas. We don't have many options or cover at the back, whilst up front not convinced Sammon or Bajner have the goals or the game to support McGoldrick/Murphy, which again limits options if need something different when chasing or kill a game. Time will tell.
13

blueboy1981 added 22:05 - Oct 21
........ just weren't good enough - drop to 9th - 1 point from 6, not a good return.

Situated about where we deserve, and are good enough to be - hovering mid table at best.
-14

bluefeast added 22:06 - Oct 21
On a serious note our game management when taking a lead is not so good. We need a little craft and guile to take sting out of opposition.
12

runaround added 22:08 - Oct 21
I guess we were due a poor result but after what sounded like a good first half performance we weren't at the races second half
To drop to 9th is rather harsh but a home match Saturday gives us the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways
I feel even this early in the season it's a must win as dropping more points May see us fall into bottom half which would hammer confidence
However a win could lead to another unbeaten run
COYB
6

ArnieM added 22:11 - Oct 21
That was aimed at blueboy btw
3

pablo123 added 22:12 - Oct 21
Taken the lead in last 3 games and not won any of them !! Very disappointing result tonight having thrown away 4 points in the last 2 games, but heyho at least the budgies didn't win AGAIN either !!!!
5

loyal_Blue added 22:14 - Oct 21
Was at the game tonight... First half was good, passing it around and looking dangerous but we just can't seem to defend corners..... But second half nothing went for us.. The early goal in the second half killed us off really we were not the same after that... The run was always going to end sooner rather than later but those late goals have now cost us. We need to learn how to keep a lead ! Every time I see Williams he gets kicked off the park and the ref does nothing about it !
7

TimmyH added 22:14 - Oct 21
Disappointing result...but 8 games unbeaten is not bad just a real shame we dropped 4 points which now looks worse and the back end of those 8 were win less. A concern for me is just how little we win away and the amount of goals we are conceding also away (11 most in the top half of the league) - something Mick might have to address.

Once you get in a non-winning habit it can fester - have to beat Huddersfield on Saturday and no excuses.
15

PJH added 22:14 - Oct 21
Was wondering who you meant ArnieM. Thought it might apply to one (or more) of those that have not posted yet.
0

ShropshireBluenago09 added 22:15 - Oct 21
Bit of a reality check tonight, but to be fair, new management usually inspires a losing team, which happened. Keep heads up guys. A bit of squad rotation against Huddersfield - i.e Teddy, Hyam to start and get back to winning ways. Mick must keep their heads and confidence up.

3-0 win V Hudders COYB
2

bluefeast added 22:16 - Oct 21
Agreed re williams , mings booked buth ow noone wasnt is a joke ,but we got what e deserved tonight and did not compete high enough up the pitch
1

bluefeast added 22:19 - Oct 21
Huddersfield will be no easy game. Just hae to stick to working as a unit which did lack 2nd half tonight. Thats confidence ,and you could see it drain from us on 47 mins when they took the lead
1

bluefeast added 22:19 - Oct 21
Huddersfield will be no easy game. Just hae to stick to working as a unit which did lack 2nd half tonight. Thats confidence ,and you could see it drain from us on 47 mins when they took the lead
1

blueboy1981 added 22:19 - Oct 21
ArnieM ............. so, so clever - why bother if you can't do better than that ?????? or better still concentrate on 'pathetic' excuses - that should suit you fine.
-4

carsey added 22:21 - Oct 21
Like everyone else I am disappointed with the result tonight and was hoping for 3 points. The 4 dropped points are looking even more valuable now as we could have been sitting clear in 4th place.
Hopefully Saturday will see the start of another 8 match unbeaten run while the scum keep dropping points.
2

blueboy1981 added 22:22 - Oct 21
Phil ......... ArnieM ? ......... what's that if it isn't foul mouthed abuse ????????????
3

Wussinwhiteboots added 22:23 - Oct 21
Phil are we in a grondhog day situation or do we keep playing Blackburn until we beat them??
0

Superblue95 added 22:23 - Oct 21
To be fair looking at the teams before the match Cardiffs did strike me as looking bloody good and i thought we might struggle. Nevertheless still disappointed to see the run come to an end. Need to be Huddersfield saturday or else our unbeaten run will have quickly turned into a poor 5 game winless run and we will be dragged back to mid table
2

oldegold added 22:24 - Oct 21
Could be that our good run has come too early in the season because we haven't won now for 5 games and methinks that MM's defensive style play will cost us dear whilst other teams with a more gung-ho attitude will pick up the mantle. Been saying it for ages that if we don't start playing a more adventurous type of game then we will not be at the races come May. The history of Championship football shows that it favours the brave and not catenaccio type teams.
BlueBoy1981 was mightily abused by ArnieM but have to agree with BlueBoy..we are where we deserve to be...mid table and no better.
5

blueboy1981 added 22:35 - Oct 21
Isn't this Forum for people to give / have an opinion - WITHOUT giving or receiving ABUSE ???

Maybe time to leave it - if it's no longer the purpose of it.
3

runningout added 22:46 - Oct 21
some sensitive soles about Blueboy that cannot get real
0

TimmyH added 22:47 - Oct 21
@blueboy - I think he's been drinking (see his posts re: Mick As bad as we've played).
0


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