Match report QPRv Cardiff 24 Apr
Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:26 am
A record crowd turned out for the much awaited top two teams in the league. With QPR firmly up on top, where they have been for most of the season, and Cardiff in 3rd place but with a win today would return to 2nd. For once the away section was filled and everyone expected an atmosphere of the pass days such that some of us had experienced at Ninian. Adding to all this sun was out, a first of the season, it made for a great game of football and we were all treated to one.
Cardiff fielded the same side from the last two games with Bywater in goal, the defence line of Quinn, McNaughton, Keinan and Samuels. In midfield there was the ever present Oli with Mcphail, Burke and Whitts. Finally upfront there was the partnership of Bellamy and Bothroyd. Cardiff went into this game unbeaten in six with four consecutive wins. A win today and automatic promotion will become a reality.
It was the visitors who went close in the early stages. From a cross QPRs man of the season Taarbat sent a fierce shot over the bar. However moments later Whitts was through on goal from a Bellamy pass just outside the visitor’s area but he failed to beat the QPR keeper Kenny. Cardiff continued the initiative and on six minutes took the lead.
Bellamy found Bothroyd 25 yards out and to the right of the goal. Bothroyd beat his marker and sent a powerful drive towards the top left corner of the goal. The ball smashed into the net leaving Kenny absolutely no chance.
Unfortunately Cardiff was unable to keep their lead. As they tried to slow the game down like you should do after scoring they became exposed on the left side of their defence. Taarbat was left alone down this wing and picked up a ball just outside the Cardiff area. As the defence closed him down he sent a circling cross to the far post. Bywater looked out of place and struggled to cut out the cross. His attempt was hampered as he clashed with one of his defenders as the ball floated into the net.
From the restart the crowd got behind the home side and urged them on. Cardiff reacted by going close a few times. Bellamy being the main driving force down both wings he was denied by Kenny as he broke free down the left. However he left himself a tight angle as he forced a low save from the QPR keeper.
Next it was the turn of Oli. Bellamy this time from the left sent a tempting cross into the area. Oli was the first to react but could only send the cross over the par.
Moments later Cardiff had an appeal for a penalty turned down. From a Whittingham cross from the left Keinan looked like he was about to score but as he rose for the cross he was knocked of his stride from behind. What looked like a dead cert penalty was waved away by the referee.
Cardiff then took a deserved lead on the 35th minute. From a throw in on the right Bothroyd collected the ball and sent a cross in across the visitor’s area that beat their defence. With Bellamy waiting at the far post he wiped the ball pass the helpless Kenny.
From the restart Cardiff defended to keep their lead and nearly paid the price. QPR started to take the initiative and from a 30 yard strike the ball was deflected and heading towards the net. Bywater managed to adjust himself and get a hand to it. The ball trickled to the by line with the approaching Taarbat chasing. Fortunately for the Cardiff he was not quick enough as the ball crossed the by line for a corner.
Cardiff saw the rest of the half out with their lead intact.
The second half started at a slower pace. The heat started to have its effect. The QPR defence reverted to putting 2 men on Bellamy and Cardiff struggled to break them down. From their slick passing in the first half Cardiff reverted to the long ball upfront. With Bothroyd having an excellent first half winning everything in the air this seemed to be a good tactic. When Cardiff had control of the ball in the QPR half they seemed to play in slow motion. This allowed the QPR to win back the ball and catch the Cardiff on the counter.
Cardiff created only one good chance with this type of play when from a several pass move within the QPR area Bellamy found Whitts in space. The winger swung at the ball and sent it high over the bar.
QPR struggled to break the Cardiff defence down but with the quality they had up front you could feel it in the crowd that they could equalise and that is exactly what they did. From another broken down Cardiff attack on the 70th minute the ex Cardiff winger Routledge picked up a ball just inside the hone half. He sent a delightful chip to Taarbat who turned McNaughton on the edge of the area. Taarbat then slotted the ball pass Bywater and into the net.
From the restart Cardiff struggled to regain the initiative and it looked like the visitors could pinch the points. With the visitors growing in confidence they attacked the Cardiff goal but only went close in the last minute when from a Taarbat cross that went across the Cardiff that just needed a touch a stretched out QPR foot just failed to make contact.
The referee brought the game to an end with it all square.
Summing up. A good performance by the Cardiff and they were unlucky to not win it. They had the chances to secure the game but did not put their chances away. Against a quality side like QPR you can’t afford to do that. It was clear in the end that the home support were disappointed while the away guys were relieved to go away with the point. The home side gave their team a standing ovation, shame the manager decided to walk down the tunnel.
Cardiff fielded the same side from the last two games with Bywater in goal, the defence line of Quinn, McNaughton, Keinan and Samuels. In midfield there was the ever present Oli with Mcphail, Burke and Whitts. Finally upfront there was the partnership of Bellamy and Bothroyd. Cardiff went into this game unbeaten in six with four consecutive wins. A win today and automatic promotion will become a reality.
It was the visitors who went close in the early stages. From a cross QPRs man of the season Taarbat sent a fierce shot over the bar. However moments later Whitts was through on goal from a Bellamy pass just outside the visitor’s area but he failed to beat the QPR keeper Kenny. Cardiff continued the initiative and on six minutes took the lead.
Bellamy found Bothroyd 25 yards out and to the right of the goal. Bothroyd beat his marker and sent a powerful drive towards the top left corner of the goal. The ball smashed into the net leaving Kenny absolutely no chance.
Unfortunately Cardiff was unable to keep their lead. As they tried to slow the game down like you should do after scoring they became exposed on the left side of their defence. Taarbat was left alone down this wing and picked up a ball just outside the Cardiff area. As the defence closed him down he sent a circling cross to the far post. Bywater looked out of place and struggled to cut out the cross. His attempt was hampered as he clashed with one of his defenders as the ball floated into the net.
From the restart the crowd got behind the home side and urged them on. Cardiff reacted by going close a few times. Bellamy being the main driving force down both wings he was denied by Kenny as he broke free down the left. However he left himself a tight angle as he forced a low save from the QPR keeper.
Next it was the turn of Oli. Bellamy this time from the left sent a tempting cross into the area. Oli was the first to react but could only send the cross over the par.
Moments later Cardiff had an appeal for a penalty turned down. From a Whittingham cross from the left Keinan looked like he was about to score but as he rose for the cross he was knocked of his stride from behind. What looked like a dead cert penalty was waved away by the referee.
Cardiff then took a deserved lead on the 35th minute. From a throw in on the right Bothroyd collected the ball and sent a cross in across the visitor’s area that beat their defence. With Bellamy waiting at the far post he wiped the ball pass the helpless Kenny.
From the restart Cardiff defended to keep their lead and nearly paid the price. QPR started to take the initiative and from a 30 yard strike the ball was deflected and heading towards the net. Bywater managed to adjust himself and get a hand to it. The ball trickled to the by line with the approaching Taarbat chasing. Fortunately for the Cardiff he was not quick enough as the ball crossed the by line for a corner.
Cardiff saw the rest of the half out with their lead intact.
The second half started at a slower pace. The heat started to have its effect. The QPR defence reverted to putting 2 men on Bellamy and Cardiff struggled to break them down. From their slick passing in the first half Cardiff reverted to the long ball upfront. With Bothroyd having an excellent first half winning everything in the air this seemed to be a good tactic. When Cardiff had control of the ball in the QPR half they seemed to play in slow motion. This allowed the QPR to win back the ball and catch the Cardiff on the counter.
Cardiff created only one good chance with this type of play when from a several pass move within the QPR area Bellamy found Whitts in space. The winger swung at the ball and sent it high over the bar.
QPR struggled to break the Cardiff defence down but with the quality they had up front you could feel it in the crowd that they could equalise and that is exactly what they did. From another broken down Cardiff attack on the 70th minute the ex Cardiff winger Routledge picked up a ball just inside the hone half. He sent a delightful chip to Taarbat who turned McNaughton on the edge of the area. Taarbat then slotted the ball pass Bywater and into the net.
From the restart Cardiff struggled to regain the initiative and it looked like the visitors could pinch the points. With the visitors growing in confidence they attacked the Cardiff goal but only went close in the last minute when from a Taarbat cross that went across the Cardiff that just needed a touch a stretched out QPR foot just failed to make contact.
The referee brought the game to an end with it all square.
Summing up. A good performance by the Cardiff and they were unlucky to not win it. They had the chances to secure the game but did not put their chances away. Against a quality side like QPR you can’t afford to do that. It was clear in the end that the home support were disappointed while the away guys were relieved to go away with the point. The home side gave their team a standing ovation, shame the manager decided to walk down the tunnel.
Re: Match report QPRv Cardiff 24 Apr
Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:35 am
Thank you for your time and effort again Ian 
Re: Match report QPRv Cardiff 24 Apr
Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:08 am
Re: Match report QPRv Cardiff 24 Apr
Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:35 am
nice one ian see you tomorrow mate 