Match report Cardiff v Portsmouth 21/01/12
Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:16 pm
So Dai Hunt has been banned so the rumour went around. Everyone wanted to know the full story. Apparently I heard Dai had attacked Tom Heaton as the keeper arrived in his car for the game. Sadly I could well believe that. Heaton mistake at Selhurst Park could mean we miss out on Wembley. I just wonder if Marshall is next on Dais list?
A crowd of just over 22,000 came to watch this match with the visitors bringing a few of their own. The atmosphere was above average to what most of us had witnessed and that was really down to the guest supporters who showed their passion to their club even though they are in real financial trouble and could well be out of business soon.
Marshall took to the posts with Darcy, Hudson, Turner and Taylor in front of him. Mason led the front line of the midfield with Conway returning to the starting line up. The rest of the midfield was made up of Cowie, Whittingham and Gunnarson with Miller the lone striker.
Cardiff dominated the game from the start and their first chance fell to Gunnarson. As Cardiff attached the goal in front of the Grange End Gunnarson picked the ball up 30 yards out and in space. He lined up a shot that kept low but went wide of the left post.
The next move Whittingham from inside the Cardiff half found Miller who midway in the away half touched onto Gunnarson. The midfielder picked out Mason who got behind the Portsmouth backline. With only the keeper to beat Mason could not flick the ball pass the oncoming goalie who did well to get down and prevent a goal scoring opportunity.
Cardiff won a corner on the 15th minute mark. Whittingham sent a cross into the 6 yard but the Portsmouth defence half cleared it. The ball eventually came back out to Whittingham who this time found Hudson. Hudson was challenged by the keeper but beat him to the ball. However his header fell to Miller on the edge of the 6 yard box and the striker volleyed the ball into the top of the net for the first goal.
Cardiff now were in total control of the game and looked like it would be a question of time before they extended their lead. The midfield were winning all the second phase and any lose ball was being picked up by the defence.
One such move from defence Conway picked the ball up on the touchline and found Miller in space. The Scotman moved forward and picked out Mason on his right. The young striker from just inside the away area fired his shot straight at the keeper who managed to parry the ball away.
Midway through this half Portsmouth finally broke into the Cardiff area for their first chance on gaol. The ball fell to one of their strikers who totally misfired his shot only for the ball to fall into the arms of Marshall.
This stage of the game there was one incident that summed up this season to last season. The former Cardiff loan Etuhu broke away for the visitors and was tracked back by Conway. Half way inside the Cardiff half Conway got his tackle in and came away with the ball. Etuhu went down and complained but play was allowed to go on. Ok, Etuhu was from the season before last but message in there.
Cardiff then had a great chance to double their lead when Blake from the right hand side seem to take on all the Portsmouth team to find himself with only the keeper to beat. From within the 18 yard area he could only watch as his shot went wide.
With Cardiff dominating and the home support wondering how it was only 1 nil the home side found themselves on equal terms. From a harmless cross from the left Marshall came out to collect the ball only to fumble it in front of an away foot that slammed the ball home.
With Cardiff reeling from this set back the away side nearly took the lead but for a Hudson deflection from an 18 yard shot. The half ended all square.
Portsmouth first attack of the second half saw them take the lead. From a corner Cardiff failed to clear and as the ball bounced around the area a visiting striker was the quickest to it to slam the ball into the net.
For the next 10 minutes Cardiff struggled to get back in the game but the visitors failed to take advantage of this. The home side then managed to create a chance with Taylor form 25 yards forcing a diving save from the Portsmouth keeper. Moments later Cardiff were back on level terms when a pinpoint cross from Conway was perfectly met by Hudson who powerfully headed the ball into the net.
Cardiff were now back in control and went for the winner with 10 minutes left. Whittingham from inside his own half picked out Miller. The striker made his way to the bye line before looping the ball back into the area. The advancing Cowie looked favourite to get to the ball first but could not control it enough only to see his effort go over the bar.
Another attack saw Conway running down the left to send a tempting cross for Miller to connect. However the striker left the cross alone for the oncoming Whittingham whose shot went straight into the arms of the keeper.
As the game went into extra time the visitors had decided upon defending what they had. It was all Cardiff but the away side decided to bring down any Cardiff attack by foul means. One promising attack down the left side was brought to an end abruptly. As the Portsmouth defence got back to defend their penalty area Whittingham took the free kick quickly to Conway. The Scottish winger took a few steps forward and from 30 yards powered a low shot towards the away goal. The visiting keeper reacted got down well to his right but the shot was too quick for him and the ball was in the back of the net for the winner.
The referee brought the game to an end soon after the restart.
Summing up. Prime example of what happens when you keep trying. All I can say on this one.
A crowd of just over 22,000 came to watch this match with the visitors bringing a few of their own. The atmosphere was above average to what most of us had witnessed and that was really down to the guest supporters who showed their passion to their club even though they are in real financial trouble and could well be out of business soon.
Marshall took to the posts with Darcy, Hudson, Turner and Taylor in front of him. Mason led the front line of the midfield with Conway returning to the starting line up. The rest of the midfield was made up of Cowie, Whittingham and Gunnarson with Miller the lone striker.
Cardiff dominated the game from the start and their first chance fell to Gunnarson. As Cardiff attached the goal in front of the Grange End Gunnarson picked the ball up 30 yards out and in space. He lined up a shot that kept low but went wide of the left post.
The next move Whittingham from inside the Cardiff half found Miller who midway in the away half touched onto Gunnarson. The midfielder picked out Mason who got behind the Portsmouth backline. With only the keeper to beat Mason could not flick the ball pass the oncoming goalie who did well to get down and prevent a goal scoring opportunity.
Cardiff won a corner on the 15th minute mark. Whittingham sent a cross into the 6 yard but the Portsmouth defence half cleared it. The ball eventually came back out to Whittingham who this time found Hudson. Hudson was challenged by the keeper but beat him to the ball. However his header fell to Miller on the edge of the 6 yard box and the striker volleyed the ball into the top of the net for the first goal.
Cardiff now were in total control of the game and looked like it would be a question of time before they extended their lead. The midfield were winning all the second phase and any lose ball was being picked up by the defence.
One such move from defence Conway picked the ball up on the touchline and found Miller in space. The Scotman moved forward and picked out Mason on his right. The young striker from just inside the away area fired his shot straight at the keeper who managed to parry the ball away.
Midway through this half Portsmouth finally broke into the Cardiff area for their first chance on gaol. The ball fell to one of their strikers who totally misfired his shot only for the ball to fall into the arms of Marshall.
This stage of the game there was one incident that summed up this season to last season. The former Cardiff loan Etuhu broke away for the visitors and was tracked back by Conway. Half way inside the Cardiff half Conway got his tackle in and came away with the ball. Etuhu went down and complained but play was allowed to go on. Ok, Etuhu was from the season before last but message in there.
Cardiff then had a great chance to double their lead when Blake from the right hand side seem to take on all the Portsmouth team to find himself with only the keeper to beat. From within the 18 yard area he could only watch as his shot went wide.
With Cardiff dominating and the home support wondering how it was only 1 nil the home side found themselves on equal terms. From a harmless cross from the left Marshall came out to collect the ball only to fumble it in front of an away foot that slammed the ball home.
With Cardiff reeling from this set back the away side nearly took the lead but for a Hudson deflection from an 18 yard shot. The half ended all square.
Portsmouth first attack of the second half saw them take the lead. From a corner Cardiff failed to clear and as the ball bounced around the area a visiting striker was the quickest to it to slam the ball into the net.
For the next 10 minutes Cardiff struggled to get back in the game but the visitors failed to take advantage of this. The home side then managed to create a chance with Taylor form 25 yards forcing a diving save from the Portsmouth keeper. Moments later Cardiff were back on level terms when a pinpoint cross from Conway was perfectly met by Hudson who powerfully headed the ball into the net.
Cardiff were now back in control and went for the winner with 10 minutes left. Whittingham from inside his own half picked out Miller. The striker made his way to the bye line before looping the ball back into the area. The advancing Cowie looked favourite to get to the ball first but could not control it enough only to see his effort go over the bar.
Another attack saw Conway running down the left to send a tempting cross for Miller to connect. However the striker left the cross alone for the oncoming Whittingham whose shot went straight into the arms of the keeper.
As the game went into extra time the visitors had decided upon defending what they had. It was all Cardiff but the away side decided to bring down any Cardiff attack by foul means. One promising attack down the left side was brought to an end abruptly. As the Portsmouth defence got back to defend their penalty area Whittingham took the free kick quickly to Conway. The Scottish winger took a few steps forward and from 30 yards powered a low shot towards the away goal. The visiting keeper reacted got down well to his right but the shot was too quick for him and the ball was in the back of the net for the winner.
The referee brought the game to an end soon after the restart.
Summing up. Prime example of what happens when you keep trying. All I can say on this one.
Re: Match report Cardiff v Portsmouth 21/01/12
Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:20 pm
Great report mate,
A game of true "never give up attitude"
What a winner it was by Craig
Ps did u get my text about Brighton away?
Jules
A game of true "never give up attitude"
What a winner it was by Craig
Ps did u get my text about Brighton away?
Jules
Re: Match report Cardiff v Portsmouth 21/01/12
Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:35 pm
Cheers Ian ....great report as per usual 
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....great report as per usual ...