Match report Derby v Cardiff 2 Nov 2011

Can’t believe the pub was all closed up. Only go there for when we play Derby and were there for the last game when we won 2-1. What was that, the start of last season, our first win with Chopra and Burke scoring. Burkes goal though was all down to the crappy goalkeeping of a guy called Bywater. Yep the pub was all barricaded up, all the lights off and I thought to myself I am not going to be popular with Marc or Nuclearblue.
Now I don’t know what pub they ended up in but it certainly was not the one I told them to go to. If they had gone there they would not have had the smiles on their faces when I finally met them at the game. They were well on their way, all smiles and were thinking overtime how they could blame me for ending up in a pub packed with Derby fans. Now am I a guy that would send guys to an opposing fans pub. Something tells me these two guys were well gone when they left their hotel onto the match.
Anyway onto the game where over 600 Cardiff made their way to Pride Park. For a new ground it is quite impressive as it has always created a good atmosphere. Please note CCFC but the singing section come standing is next to the away lot. Worth taking note of that now Gethin Jenkins has left.
Marshall took the stand between the posts with McNaughton, Hudson, Turner and Taylor in defence. In midfield Kiss, Whittingham, Conway, Cowie and Gunnarson making up the famous five and Miller the lonely front man.
Cardiff defended the goal in front of their fans for the first half. Well actually all the away fans were to the right of the goal and that played a part at the start of the second half but that will be explained later.
Derby was awarded two free kicks just outside the Cardiff area in the first 2 minutes. The first free kick was a tame effort from the far right as the away fans looked. Marshall was not challenged as he collected the ball going down on his knees. The home fans called out as if it was a close thing but it really was nothing.
The next free kick from in front of the away fans sailed over the bar to the cheers of the travelling fans.
Then the fans had to suffer 15 minutes of nothing. Cardiff settled into the game while Derby seemed too lose their initiative. Cardiff moved the ball around in midfield well but never challenged the home goal. The Derby defence held their line as Cardiff tried to break them down but nothing exciting happen for about 15 minutes. The crowd went quiet and I was nearly asleep. I thought I would express my feeling on the forum so thanks to modern technology posted. As soon as I pressed the submit dialogue Cardiff scored.
As the play was at the other end of the ground it was difficult to really record what was going on. However the big lump Turner was recognisable from that afar and he was seen passing the ball across the pitch. From his pass a Cardiff player just outside the Derby penalty area kicked the ball towards the goal. The ball crept between the Derby goalkeeper and the left post as we saw it. No one in the away section realised it was a goal until they saw the Cardiff players celebrating. I actually raised my arms up in delight with my mobile in one of my hands. It was that short time from me posting to the forum.
It was only when someone said “I love Sovakinas that I worked out it was Kiss who scored.
Cardiff had a great chance to increase their lead just after the restart. As Derby looked for a quick response they were caught out when Conway found himself free on the half way line. He managed to beat his marker in the centre circle and basically left him standing as he made his way to the Derby goal. With the keeper only to beat and the away fans held their breath in hope of another goal the home stopper spread himself well to force a corner.
Cardiff then dominated the rest of the half but really failed to force a serious save from the home keeper. Whittingham seemed to be enjoying himself in midfield where he was given the freedom of the pitch. Taylor made some good runs up the left side and Gunnarson seemed to be making nuisance near the Derby area. However all this possession failed to see another goal but there was a feeling amongst all the away fans that tonight the lead would be held.
The half ended with Cardiff ongoing into the interval with a one goal lead.
The second half started lively for Cardiff as they attacked down the right side. One such attack within two minutes of the start saw Derby struggle to clear their lines. The ball fell to Whittingham who volleyed from 18 yards. The Cardiff fans started to cheer as the ball went through the Derby net. The Derby fans told us all to sit down because the ball had actually just gone wide of the far post as we looked.
A couple of minutes later Gunnarson tried his luck from 20 yards and this time his shot was aimed at the near post to the Cardiff fans. The ball hit the net and once again the Cardiff fans started to cheer. Once again the home fans told us to sit down when we all saw the ball hit the display boards again.
The first 10 minutes of the second half Cardiff dominated but as expected Derby started to get back into the game. The forced a corner and from that produced their best chance of the game. Their number 6 who was a giant of a guy headed the ball over the bar. He looked unchallenged from where we stood and it turned out to be the only scare of the night.
After that Cardiff stepped up a gear and pressed the Derby defence down the right. However it was from a corner from the left that the second goal came. Cardiff never score from corners and when Whittingham fluffed his kick you felt the trend was going to continue. Miller seeing the weak corner went to meet the cross, got his head to it and via a deflection saw the ball hit the inside of the side net. On the 62 minutes Cardiff had a 2 goal lead.
From the kick off Cardiff controlled the game and basically moved the ball around the midfield waiting for a break. Derby tried to get back into the game but whenever they got near the Cardiff area the away defence just simple broke the attack up.
It was from one of these break ups that Cardiff increased their lead. Kiss from the Cardiff area found Whittingham in space on the half way line. His pass was perfect for Whitts to run onto. Whitts had a quick look to see if he was offside but the linesman kept his flag down. With only the home keeper to beat Whitts held his composure and slotted the ball home in the 73 minute.
By now the Derby fans had enough and the Cardiff fans started to wave them goodbye as they made their way to the exit..

The best moment was to come though. As Derby pressed for some consolation they just found themselves being pinned back in their own half. As they tried to mount an attack in the last minute their full back passed the ball back to their keeper to boot up field. The keeper hesitated as the ball went pass him and towards the goal line. Fortunately for him he woke up and managed to stop the ball going over the line. Another couple of inches and it would have been the own goal of the season.
The referee brought the game to an end with the Cardiff winning 3-0. The happy Cardiff fans applauded their team who in turn applauded them. As is coming a ritual they waited for their manager to shake the hands of his players and officials before he applauded them.

Nice one Ian great report Anyway you told Marc to go to the Harvester which we did. But you were spot on we were getting well wasted

Nice one Ian ...I'll pop in the Ninian tomorrow so you can buy me a pint .....Great report as usual

Cheers Ian