' NOT THE BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE/BUT '
Sat Sep 12, 2015 2:58 pm
Joe Mason continued his scoring streak to seal a comfortable 2-0 win for Cardiff over struggling Huddersfield.
Mason slid home his third goal in four games after 77 minutes to cap a third win in a row for manager Russell Slade.
Anthony Pilkington netted first in an eight-minute spell in the second half that continued Cardiff's unbeaten start to the Championship season.
In stark contrast, Chris Powell's Huddersfield are still looking for their first victory in what looks set to be a long season.
Cardiff were unchanged from the side that won at Nottingham Forest a week earlier as Slade kept faith with his unbeaten lineup.
And they almost found an early break through their in-form strike partnership.
Mason was bundled off Peter Whittingham's long ball but the chance fell to Kenwyne Jones, who could only head straight at Jed Steer.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was one of three players on loan to make their first appearance for Huddersfield, behind Norwich centre-back Elliott Ward and Forest midfielder Jamie Paterson.
Yet there was a lack of spark about Cardiff despite the dramatic improvements this season from last.
They lost Lee Peltier early on after the right-back failed to shake off the effects of a crunching challenge by Jonathan Hogg.
It was a bruising opening for Cardiff who also saw goalkeeper David Marshall receive treatment after colliding with his own player to deny Sean Scannell.
Scannell out-paced Peltier's replacement and his deflected shot was cleared by Fabio Da Silva.
However neither goalkeeper was troubled in a tame first-half. Scott Malone was teed-up by Joe Ralls but his shot was easily saved to Steer's right.
The second half proved far more entertaining as both sides chased all three points.
Paterson charged at the heart of Cardiff's defence before his shot was blocked by Sean Morrison.
Cardiff striker Jones then missed the chance to score for a third game in a row for the first time since his days in the Premiership with Stoke City in 2011.
The Trinidadian turned Joel Lynch only to fire tamely at Steer and was hauled off moments later.
Huddersfield felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Harry Bunn went down under Connolly's challenge. And less than 60 seconds later, Cardiff were in front.
Jones' replacement Sammy Ameobi supplied Pilkington, who turned his marker and confidently steered home from six yards out.
Cardiff then grabbed a second just eight minutes later when Mason latched onto Pilkington's through ball. He skipped past Steer before steadying himself to side-foot into an empty net from a narrow angle.
By Terry Phillips
FT: Cardiff 2 - 0 Huddersfield
Dikgacoi man of the match.
Not the best overall team performance, but Cardiff toughed it out.
Three league wins in a row for the first time since Mackay was in charge.
Three points and City are second in the championship.
HT: Cardiff City 0 - 0 Huddersfield
0-0 is probably about fair, but Cardiff City are going to have to start the second half as they finished the first.
For most of the opening 45 minutes we were far too slow, our movement wasn’t good enough.
But that changed as half time approached and we need to keep that going now.
Anthony Pilkington did find the back of the net, but he was flagged offside.
Cardiff City simply can’t get hold of the ball. They are battling, but are losing possession too often.
Whittingham and Ralls have given away possession at times in front of their own penalty area. They are not the only guilty players, but City have to up their game.
It’s all too scrappy.
Cardiff City trying to thread their way through Huddersfield’s defensive system, but there is no room.
Huddersfield are without a win this season and are third from bottom, but they have played really well today. They aren’t doing anything amazing, but they are outnumbering Cardiff in midfield.
Peltier went off injured he was replaced by Malone.
Mason slid home his third goal in four games after 77 minutes to cap a third win in a row for manager Russell Slade.
Anthony Pilkington netted first in an eight-minute spell in the second half that continued Cardiff's unbeaten start to the Championship season.
In stark contrast, Chris Powell's Huddersfield are still looking for their first victory in what looks set to be a long season.
Cardiff were unchanged from the side that won at Nottingham Forest a week earlier as Slade kept faith with his unbeaten lineup.
And they almost found an early break through their in-form strike partnership.
Mason was bundled off Peter Whittingham's long ball but the chance fell to Kenwyne Jones, who could only head straight at Jed Steer.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was one of three players on loan to make their first appearance for Huddersfield, behind Norwich centre-back Elliott Ward and Forest midfielder Jamie Paterson.
Yet there was a lack of spark about Cardiff despite the dramatic improvements this season from last.
They lost Lee Peltier early on after the right-back failed to shake off the effects of a crunching challenge by Jonathan Hogg.
It was a bruising opening for Cardiff who also saw goalkeeper David Marshall receive treatment after colliding with his own player to deny Sean Scannell.
Scannell out-paced Peltier's replacement and his deflected shot was cleared by Fabio Da Silva.
However neither goalkeeper was troubled in a tame first-half. Scott Malone was teed-up by Joe Ralls but his shot was easily saved to Steer's right.
The second half proved far more entertaining as both sides chased all three points.
Paterson charged at the heart of Cardiff's defence before his shot was blocked by Sean Morrison.
Cardiff striker Jones then missed the chance to score for a third game in a row for the first time since his days in the Premiership with Stoke City in 2011.
The Trinidadian turned Joel Lynch only to fire tamely at Steer and was hauled off moments later.
Huddersfield felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Harry Bunn went down under Connolly's challenge. And less than 60 seconds later, Cardiff were in front.
Jones' replacement Sammy Ameobi supplied Pilkington, who turned his marker and confidently steered home from six yards out.
Cardiff then grabbed a second just eight minutes later when Mason latched onto Pilkington's through ball. He skipped past Steer before steadying himself to side-foot into an empty net from a narrow angle.
By Terry Phillips
FT: Cardiff 2 - 0 Huddersfield
Dikgacoi man of the match.
Not the best overall team performance, but Cardiff toughed it out.
Three league wins in a row for the first time since Mackay was in charge.
Three points and City are second in the championship.
HT: Cardiff City 0 - 0 Huddersfield
0-0 is probably about fair, but Cardiff City are going to have to start the second half as they finished the first.
For most of the opening 45 minutes we were far too slow, our movement wasn’t good enough.
But that changed as half time approached and we need to keep that going now.
Anthony Pilkington did find the back of the net, but he was flagged offside.
Cardiff City simply can’t get hold of the ball. They are battling, but are losing possession too often.
Whittingham and Ralls have given away possession at times in front of their own penalty area. They are not the only guilty players, but City have to up their game.
It’s all too scrappy.
Cardiff City trying to thread their way through Huddersfield’s defensive system, but there is no room.
Huddersfield are without a win this season and are third from bottom, but they have played really well today. They aren’t doing anything amazing, but they are outnumbering Cardiff in midfield.
Peltier went off injured he was replaced by Malone.
Re: ' First Half update '
Sat Sep 12, 2015 3:02 pm
We need more pace and direct running. Mason working hard but i think ameobi's pace would of got him through twice
Re: ' First Half update '
Sat Sep 12, 2015 3:03 pm
Better off watching the pitch grow
Re: ' NOT THE BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE/BUT '
Sat Sep 12, 2015 4:12 pm
Don't perform well but still win is a sign of a good team as they say. 
