So the International break was over, and it wasn't as if Wales gave Cardiff city fans anything to sing about. They needed a cracker to make up for the miserable summer and the end (after two matches) of Welsh world cup qualifying hopes.
If ever there was a match to help Cardiff re light the fire that had started to burn so brightly before the break, then Leeds at home could be it.
As if to help stoke the fire, Leeds decided to wear their blue strip when white would have done just fine.
Sure enough it didn't take long for them to start singing " we're playing in blue, we're playing in bluuuuuue,we're leeds united, we're playing in blue" (in reference to our former blue home kit) Followed up by a lovely. Rendition of "are you wrexham in disguise" (regarding our current Red home kit).
The match was over quickly for former Bluebird Ross McCormack who delighted the home fans once again as he did the Aya Tolla as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
25 minutes into the match and I realised the only other event of note was Leeds away fans with another song, this time about Gary Speed which produced a rare moment of unity between the fans.....which didn't last long.
There were a couple of half chances, one from Helguson and one from Noone, but it was a drab match with Cardiff looking in control but neither keeper looking concerned.
39 minutes in and all the entertainment was still coming from the crowd. Both sets of fans were keen to educate us on Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. What I learned is as follows: "there's only one Paddy Kenny" (Leeds) and "he eats what he wants" (Cardiff).
On the stroke of half time Cardiff NEARLY created a chance but they never but they did earn a corner which Helguson headed over and had the fans begging for half time. A terrible half of football, they only way it could have been worse would have been if I was supporting Leeds.
The second half kicked off with El Hadj Diouf taking to the pitch for Leeds. I was certain that one way or another surely he would give us some much needed entertainment in this match.
Finally in the firs 3 minutes of the second half we had it, a shot ON TARGET, some lovely work in the middle of he park by Mutch released Noone down the right who floated in a cross. It was headed out by Leeds, only to be nodded in for Maynard to attempt a spectacular side volley come scissors kick which Paddy Kenny saved spectacularly. Shortly after Mutch curled a shot just wide.
The second half was really starting to come alive and about time too. It was all Cardiff. Brilliant bit of work by Wittingham sent us down the right again but no real effort came of it, but it was a stark contrast from the 1st half.
Cardiff were in total control but the Leeds defence were leaving no gaps or route to goal. Smith belted a shot goal wards only to be deflected again.
Diouf was carrying Leeds forward with every counter attack but to no avail. He actually go on he end of a move he started but he put stretched to put it over the bar while simultaneously being flagged for offside.
19 minutes in and Bellamy replaced Noone on he right wing.
He made an instant impact putting cross after cross in within his first couple of minutes, he was an added lift to this better 2nd half version of Cardiff city.
On 22 minutes of he second half there was a free kick given for a foul on Maynard.
Normally Cardiff city free kicks are marked "property of Peter Wittingham - Do not touch" but I had a feeling that this maybe was one for Bellers.
Sure enough Bellamy stepped up and courtesy of a fair deflection from the wall, fired Cardiff into he leeds, I mean lead.
27 minutes in and Maynard was fouled again, this time in the box. Penalty given.
Now normally, penalties are marked "property of Peter Wittingham - Do not touch", but this time......it was indeed Peter Wittingham and he of course dispatched the penalty with consummate ease.
Amazingly it was Cardiff 2-0 Leeds.
Mutch came off on the half hour and was replaced by Gunnarsson and the first thing he witnessed was Leeds' number 8 Rodolph Austin scoring a free kick that was driven low from right to left and out of Marshall's reach.
The match finished 2-1 which was a just result. If the first half was Cardiff shaking off the rust caused by the international break then let's hope the second half was a prelude for the weeks ahead.
Craig Bellamy came off the bench and the match changed, no question, but did he come off the bench and change the match? Not for me, but the papers will probably say different. What is not in question however is the quality of a squad that still can not find an opportunity to give a debut to Korean starlet Kim-bo-kyung and did not need to bring on Joe Mason today.
0 comments:
Post a Comment