Cardiff City FC v Brighton and Hove Albion FC
15 August 2007 Kick off 7.45pm
Cardiff City eased into the second round of the Carling Cup last night with an uninspiring win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Dave Jones’ men required extra time before Roger Johnson’s header spared their blushes and a penalty shoot-out against League One Albion.
Ninian Park was treated to somewhat of an ornithological feast with the visit of the ‘Seagulls’ although no fowl was on display, the Bluebirds close season coup, Robbie Fowler, not yet match fit.
Despite the heavy pre-match rain abating the players failed to rival the subsequent sunset for creativity, style or end product. While Stephen McPhail and Darren Purse stood out as engines edging their side closer to what should have been a routine 90 minute victory, City could not build on their respective industry.
The first half reflected the attendance; miserly. A mere 3,726 turned out albeit on a wet Tuesday night in peak holiday season against visitors who failed to up their game to Championship standards. Brighton only mustered 87 fans of their own.
Warren Feeny, Paul Parry and McPhail all snatched at long range half-chances early on without troubling Brighton keeper Michel Kuipers. Peter Whittingham engineered a move down Cardiff’s left flank in the 17th minute, firing a low cross into Brighton’s penalty area which was met by McPhail, blocked and the rebound blasted over.
It was Brighton who, against the run of play, came closest in the 33rd minute. Ross Turnbull punched clear from an Albion corner but only as far as the Seagull’s left back, Joel Lynch, who was lurking on the edge of the 18 yard box. The sweetness with which he connected with the ball proved why he was waiting there. Fortunately for Turnbull and the Bluebirds, his effort slammed into the advertising hoardings just wide of its mark.
Turnbull could have seized the headlines himself for a ‘Lehman-esque’ moment shortly before half-time. He tried to deal with a bouncing back-pass via a neat flick with the side of his boot but made far too much contact and only just managed to clear the danger with his second touch in the face of the fast advancing Nicky Forster.
The coming of the second half failed to bring changes to the teams or the tempo. The fans, however, were in much better voice, particularly enjoying baiting the rather rotund Brighton physio who was called into action for several nasty clashes of heads. Tiring of him once the players involved had returned to their feet, they turned their attention on Brighton’s beleaguered support: “We can see you holding hands”.
Dave Jones’ introduction of Matt Green in the 63rd minute did little to stir Cardiff’s attack. Paul Parry had highlighted their problem just three minutes into the second half, breaking beautifully down the right, beating his man and delivering a delightful chipped cross into the penalty area, which was happily dealt with by the Brighton back four.
On this occasion, unlike a wayward delivery from Chris Gunter later in the game which earned ironic cheers from the crowd, it was not the decision-making or execution that was to blame, but City’s lack of a predator to capitalise on a fine move. Fowler’s presence is keenly awaited.
The Bluebirds were refused a penalty in extra-time after Joe Ledley was unceremoniously muscled off the ball in the box. In turn though Cardiff denied Brighton a penalty shoot-out, McPhail providing the perfect corner to tee up Johnson’s decisive header in the 108th minute and seal the win.
The Carling Cup may often be derided as a second-string cup competition, but it is a valuable opportunity for experience against clubs playing in the league where Cardiff want to be, the Premiership. For the moment they are one step closer to drawing such a team, the second round.
Cardiff City:
Ross Turnbull, Tony Capaldi, Roger Johnson, Darren Purse (c), Chris Gunter, Peter Whittingham (76’ Joe Ledley), Stephen McPhail, Gavin Rae, Paul Parry (115’ Aaron Ramsey), Warren Feeney (63’ Matt Green), Steven Maclean.
Shots on target – 7, Shots off target – 9, Corners – 8, Freekicks won – 17, Offsides – 3
Yellow cards – 0.
Brighton & Hove Albion:
Michael Kuipers, Joel Lynch (45’ Sam Rents), Guy Butters, Tommy Elphick, Andrew Whing, Dean Cox, Dean Hammond (c), Adam El-Abd, Tommy Fraser (65’ Paul Reid), Alex Revell (105’ Bas Savage), Nicky Forster.
Shots on target – 1, Shots off target – 5, Corners – 6, Freekicks won – 8, Offsides – 0,
Yellow cards – 3.
15 August 2007 Kick off 7.45pm
Cardiff City eased into the second round of the Carling Cup last night with an uninspiring win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Dave Jones’ men required extra time before Roger Johnson’s header spared their blushes and a penalty shoot-out against League One Albion.
Ninian Park was treated to somewhat of an ornithological feast with the visit of the ‘Seagulls’ although no fowl was on display, the Bluebirds close season coup, Robbie Fowler, not yet match fit.
Despite the heavy pre-match rain abating the players failed to rival the subsequent sunset for creativity, style or end product. While Stephen McPhail and Darren Purse stood out as engines edging their side closer to what should have been a routine 90 minute victory, City could not build on their respective industry.
The first half reflected the attendance; miserly. A mere 3,726 turned out albeit on a wet Tuesday night in peak holiday season against visitors who failed to up their game to Championship standards. Brighton only mustered 87 fans of their own.
Warren Feeny, Paul Parry and McPhail all snatched at long range half-chances early on without troubling Brighton keeper Michel Kuipers. Peter Whittingham engineered a move down Cardiff’s left flank in the 17th minute, firing a low cross into Brighton’s penalty area which was met by McPhail, blocked and the rebound blasted over.
It was Brighton who, against the run of play, came closest in the 33rd minute. Ross Turnbull punched clear from an Albion corner but only as far as the Seagull’s left back, Joel Lynch, who was lurking on the edge of the 18 yard box. The sweetness with which he connected with the ball proved why he was waiting there. Fortunately for Turnbull and the Bluebirds, his effort slammed into the advertising hoardings just wide of its mark.
Turnbull could have seized the headlines himself for a ‘Lehman-esque’ moment shortly before half-time. He tried to deal with a bouncing back-pass via a neat flick with the side of his boot but made far too much contact and only just managed to clear the danger with his second touch in the face of the fast advancing Nicky Forster.
The coming of the second half failed to bring changes to the teams or the tempo. The fans, however, were in much better voice, particularly enjoying baiting the rather rotund Brighton physio who was called into action for several nasty clashes of heads. Tiring of him once the players involved had returned to their feet, they turned their attention on Brighton’s beleaguered support: “We can see you holding hands”.
Dave Jones’ introduction of Matt Green in the 63rd minute did little to stir Cardiff’s attack. Paul Parry had highlighted their problem just three minutes into the second half, breaking beautifully down the right, beating his man and delivering a delightful chipped cross into the penalty area, which was happily dealt with by the Brighton back four.
On this occasion, unlike a wayward delivery from Chris Gunter later in the game which earned ironic cheers from the crowd, it was not the decision-making or execution that was to blame, but City’s lack of a predator to capitalise on a fine move. Fowler’s presence is keenly awaited.
The Bluebirds were refused a penalty in extra-time after Joe Ledley was unceremoniously muscled off the ball in the box. In turn though Cardiff denied Brighton a penalty shoot-out, McPhail providing the perfect corner to tee up Johnson’s decisive header in the 108th minute and seal the win.
The Carling Cup may often be derided as a second-string cup competition, but it is a valuable opportunity for experience against clubs playing in the league where Cardiff want to be, the Premiership. For the moment they are one step closer to drawing such a team, the second round.
Cardiff City:
Ross Turnbull, Tony Capaldi, Roger Johnson, Darren Purse (c), Chris Gunter, Peter Whittingham (76’ Joe Ledley), Stephen McPhail, Gavin Rae, Paul Parry (115’ Aaron Ramsey), Warren Feeney (63’ Matt Green), Steven Maclean.
Shots on target – 7, Shots off target – 9, Corners – 8, Freekicks won – 17, Offsides – 3
Yellow cards – 0.
Brighton & Hove Albion:
Michael Kuipers, Joel Lynch (45’ Sam Rents), Guy Butters, Tommy Elphick, Andrew Whing, Dean Cox, Dean Hammond (c), Adam El-Abd, Tommy Fraser (65’ Paul Reid), Alex Revell (105’ Bas Savage), Nicky Forster.
Shots on target – 1, Shots off target – 5, Corners – 6, Freekicks won – 8, Offsides – 0,
Yellow cards – 3.
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