" Match report Peterborough v Cardiff 19 October 2011 "

This terraced stand was behind the goal and it was old style. If you stood at the back of this terraced stand you might just be able to see over the crossbar. Forget about seeing the other end of the pitch. I would say the stand held about 2,000 at a squeeze. Well as there were only 300 of us there was plenty of space. Add to all this it was a Tuesday night and the winter cold had made its first appearance of the year. Were we back in the 70s, sadly not but I just felt whatever happened on the pitch this was going to be a night I remember.
To me Cardiff lined up a strong team with Marshall once again guarded the goal. In defence McNaughton was on right with Taylor on the left. The central partnership of Hudson and Turner remained from the previous game as did the midfield of Conway, Whittingham, Cowie and Gunnarson. Also remaining was the strike force of Gestede and Earnshaw.
The game started off at a high tempo as Cardiff defended the goal in front of their away support. The 300 travelling supporters were in great voice and continued to be so all the way through the game. It really felt the old school was out in force and the young ones were there ready to take their place. A Tuesday night hundreds of miles away from home and all the generation were there. The young ones certainly made their voice heard and the future of Cardiff is looking good.
It was not long when we had a reminder of the 70s as Whittingham cleared of the line from a Peterborough corner. It felt like we were in for a long night, just like the 70s. That feeling soon changed as Cardiff took the game on and soon were in the lead. As the play was being played up the other end Cowie bounced on a rebound to drive the ball into the net. Well I did not see it go in as the crossbar practically hide half the pitch from my view. That was one of a few goals I was about to miss.
From the kick off Cardiff dominated and went for a second goal. Gestede was winning everything in the air. It was really difficult to see what was going in up the other end, I could hardly see anything. At one stage I started to cheer as I had thought we had scored again. I realised we had not when the home crowd cheered. Don’t you feel an idiot when you do that?
Then disappointed struck. On 15 minutes Gestede pulled up and that was the end of the game for him. That allowed the home side to get back in the game.
From a home side corner Cardiff went to sleep. From our right the corner was taken and was met by a Peterborough head just outside the 6 yard area. The ball fell nicely to one of their strikers inside the 6yard box who had the easy task of directing it into the goal.
Three minutes later Cardiff conceded a free kick just outside their area. From the free kick the ball kept low but enough to clear the wall. Marshall struggled to get to it and before we knew it, us supporters that, we were behind.
From the restart Cardiff went for the equaliser and I did see Earnshaw have a go from about 25 yards causing a frantic save from the home keeper. Then I heard Earnshaw hit the post. Nope, nobody told me that but I recognised the sound of ball against wood. Just before half time I then managed to see that home keeper make a dive to his left and moments later dived to the left again. This time I waited for someone else to start cheering before I made a prat of myself again.

The first half, an entertaining one at that, ended with the home side 2-1 up.

The second half started very much as the first one ended with Cardiff looking for an equaliser. This time I managed to see something with McNaughton playing his attacking role down the left as us fans watch it. Cardiff continued to press for an equaliser but just could not find the finishing touch.

All the time Cardiff pressed the home side did look like they could catch us on the break. It certainly felt they had a strong attack force with speed.

Then on the hour mark Cardiff were awarded a free kick 20 yards out and slightly to the left of the D area. The wall looked solid as us away fans looked on. Their keeper positioned himself to the right. Next thing the ball appeared over the ball and did look like it was going to hit the left post. Well it just crept inside for the equaliser. Let us hope there is a lot more to come from Whittingham this season again.

Cardiff just continued to dominate the game but Peterborough did look like they were capable of scoring on the break. However it was Cardiff who ran the show but just could not produce the finish. It was perhaps that feeling of we are not going to score when I got a tap on the shoulder to be told a story. As I had my back to the game listening to this story Gunnarson got in front of his marker and scored. I missed it and to rub salt into the wound I only got to hear half the story.

That goal came with 10 minutes to go. We were looking good but why was it I felt we needed another one.
Peterborough started to throw everything in attack but the Cardiff defence held firm. However we failed to take the pressure of the defence and this encouraged the home side to give it a go. Most of the pressure came down the right side as we looked. With three minutes to go the ball flew across the Cardiff area with the Cardiff defence throwing themselves at any threatening shot. There was a huge shout from the home side and the next thing the referee was pointing to the spot.

The penalty was scored and from the kick off the injury time board went up, 4 minutes extra to play.

It was Cardiff who went for the winner but failed with the final product again. As they pressed forward the ball was cleared with Whittingham looking favourite to pick it up. He was brought down by the advancing Peterborough defence and what looked like a free kick the referee waved play on.
The attack towards the Cardiff goal was fast and it was clear our defenders were struggling to keep up. Next thing we saw the pass go across the penalty area and into the back of the net. That moment killed the away support and our chances of coming away with anything.

Summing up. One of those gut wrenching moments it was. Not one of us believed we had lost that but we had. When I got home I logged onto here and was surprised what I was reading. Why is it I get the impression some of us are hoping MM fails? If you had gone to the game you would have been proud how the team played. If you are going to have a go like that because we lost well we are going to have a problem.

Cheers Ian, your reports are well appreciated, especially as I couldn't make last night (did get a running commentary from Bomber though ). Whilst listening on the radio. I was gutted at the final whistle.
Unfortunately I wasn't there during the 70's and would have loved to have been there last night.

Ian, I was sad last night with the end result, but so proud of Malky and his team


Great report once again thanks

Ian, I was sad last night with the end result, but so proud of Malky and his team


Great report once again thanks

You can tell me the other half of the story next time I see you

Ian, I was sad last night with the end result, but so proud of Malky and his team


Great report once again thanks

You can tell me the other half of the story next time I see you

I will

Summed it all up well, but to nit pick Kiss started and not Conway. He came off the bench to replace Earnshaw I think. The reports from Sky and BBC said Taylor gave away the penalty but it seemed to hit McNaughtons hand when I saw the replays today on SSN ( not that it was a penalty)

Summed it all up well, but to nit pick Kiss started and not Conway. He came off the bench to replace Earnshaw I think. The reports from Sky and BBC said Taylor gave away the penalty but it seemed to hit McNaughtons hand when I saw the replays today on SSN ( not that it was a penalty)

Your right about Kiss. Told you I could not see much.

Thank you Ian

How long is Gestede out for?

Ian, thank you once again, look forward to todays match report