CARDIFF CITY 2-0 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
Yet again,Coventry City were made to pay for missing chances as they went down to a late defeat at Cardiff City.
We'd arrived in a city that was granted City status in 1905 and made our way through a search into Ninian Park to take our place on either the terrace or in the seats.
Micky Adams named the same starting line-up for the third successive game but five minutes in,and with the Sky Blue support in fine voice,the City boss had to replace David McNamee.
Yet again,Coventry City were made to pay for missing chances as they went down to a late defeat at Cardiff City.
We'd arrived in a city that was granted City status in 1905 and made our way through a search into Ninian Park to take our place on either the terrace or in the seats.
Micky Adams named the same starting line-up for the third successive game but five minutes in,and with the Sky Blue support in fine voice,the City boss had to replace David McNamee.
Wearing the new red away kit for the first time in a league game, the Scottish right back went down under a heavy challenge and was not able to resume. As Adams had kept the same bench from the midweek defeat at Southampton, there was no Andy Whing and Adam Virgo had to take over at right back.
Two minutes later and there was another injury. This time,it was the assistant referee on the Main Stand side who limped off and was replaced by the fourth official Mr Flynn.
As the songs from a 600 strong City support changed from City songs to England ones as part of some good natured banter with the Welshmen to our right,Dele Adebola got in a ninth minute header to allow Stern John to fire over.
Adam Virgo had done a reasonable job but in the 16th minute,he was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like an ankle injury after another late unpunished challenge.
Referee Mr Booth may have missed this challenge but he saw Elliott Ward make what looked a fair challenge on the edge of the area and cautioned him.Thankfully the resulting free kick came to nothing
With Jay Tabb on,the Republic Of Ireland U21 international went to left midfield,Chris Birchall went to right back with Gary McSheffrey going to right midfield.
Stephen Hughes was normally at the heart of City's set pieces as well as battling hard in midfield.
In the 23rd minute,a Hughes free kick led to a corner. Beaver,as he is nicknamed, took the flag kick and banged it into the six yard box where Elliott Ward went in with his head to send the ball crashing against the right hand post.
Cardiff new signing Stephen McPhail became the second caution of the game when he flattened McSheffrey who celebrates his 24th birthday tomorrow from behind in the 33rd minute.
Andy Marshall looked as competent as ever and three minutes later, he made a superb one handed save to push the ball over from a Parry shot.
At the break,David Jones sent on former Sky Blue Wilo Flood.
Hughes had a shot deflected for a corner but in the 48th minute, Michael Doyle lost the ball in midfield. Cardiff broke down the left, a cross came in and Marcus Hall had to head over his own bar.
In the 55th minute, Cardiff went close to scoring, Michael Chopra looked like he must score when only a few feet out.
Two minutes later and there was another injury. This time,it was the assistant referee on the Main Stand side who limped off and was replaced by the fourth official Mr Flynn.
As the songs from a 600 strong City support changed from City songs to England ones as part of some good natured banter with the Welshmen to our right,Dele Adebola got in a ninth minute header to allow Stern John to fire over.
Adam Virgo had done a reasonable job but in the 16th minute,he was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like an ankle injury after another late unpunished challenge.
Referee Mr Booth may have missed this challenge but he saw Elliott Ward make what looked a fair challenge on the edge of the area and cautioned him.Thankfully the resulting free kick came to nothing
With Jay Tabb on,the Republic Of Ireland U21 international went to left midfield,Chris Birchall went to right back with Gary McSheffrey going to right midfield.
Stephen Hughes was normally at the heart of City's set pieces as well as battling hard in midfield.
In the 23rd minute,a Hughes free kick led to a corner. Beaver,as he is nicknamed, took the flag kick and banged it into the six yard box where Elliott Ward went in with his head to send the ball crashing against the right hand post.
Cardiff new signing Stephen McPhail became the second caution of the game when he flattened McSheffrey who celebrates his 24th birthday tomorrow from behind in the 33rd minute.
Andy Marshall looked as competent as ever and three minutes later, he made a superb one handed save to push the ball over from a Parry shot.
At the break,David Jones sent on former Sky Blue Wilo Flood.
Hughes had a shot deflected for a corner but in the 48th minute, Michael Doyle lost the ball in midfield. Cardiff broke down the left, a cross came in and Marcus Hall had to head over his own bar.
In the 55th minute, Cardiff went close to scoring, Michael Chopra looked like he must score when only a few feet out.
However,Marcus Hall got back to block the ball. It rebounded back to Chopra but Marshall again denied him with a one handed save on the line.
Wilo Flood picked up a booking in the 66th minute for a trip on McSheffrey. He should have walked for a foul seconds later but Mr Booth was having none of it.
With fifteen to go,Jones sent on Kevin Campbell. The effect of the well travelled striker brought the desired effect.
Marshall had earlier saved again from Chopra but in the 79th minute,the former Newcastle and Barnsley striker was first to a ball across the area and slid in to poke the ball into the net from five yards.
In unison,myself and a very good friend who is based in Cardiff,shook our heads in disbelief at the fact that for the second time in a week that City had been made to pay for not finding the net.
Don Hutchison was sent on and Chris Birchall blasted wide in the last minute but for the second consecutive away game,we made our way home having watched another defeat.
HT CCAFC 0-0 CCFC
FT CCAFC 1-0 CCFC
ATT 13,965
Goals Michael Chopra (79)
Booked Ward,McPhail,Flood,Purse
Referee R.Booth.
Team
Marshall,McNamee (Virgo 5,Tabb 17),Ward,Heath,Hall,Doyle,Hughes,Birchall,John,Adebola (Hutchison 85)
Subs Cameron,Thornton
Cardiff
Alexander,Gilbert (Flood 46),McNaughton,Purse,Loovens,Chopra (Glombard 90),Thompson (Campbell 75),Parry,Ledley,Scimeca
Subs Johnson,Howard
Wilo Flood picked up a booking in the 66th minute for a trip on McSheffrey. He should have walked for a foul seconds later but Mr Booth was having none of it.
With fifteen to go,Jones sent on Kevin Campbell. The effect of the well travelled striker brought the desired effect.
Marshall had earlier saved again from Chopra but in the 79th minute,the former Newcastle and Barnsley striker was first to a ball across the area and slid in to poke the ball into the net from five yards.
In unison,myself and a very good friend who is based in Cardiff,shook our heads in disbelief at the fact that for the second time in a week that City had been made to pay for not finding the net.
Don Hutchison was sent on and Chris Birchall blasted wide in the last minute but for the second consecutive away game,we made our way home having watched another defeat.
HT CCAFC 0-0 CCFC
FT CCAFC 1-0 CCFC
ATT 13,965
Goals Michael Chopra (79)
Booked Ward,McPhail,Flood,Purse
Referee R.Booth.
Team
Marshall,McNamee (Virgo 5,Tabb 17),Ward,Heath,Hall,Doyle,Hughes,Birchall,John,Adebola (Hutchison 85)
Subs Cameron,Thornton
Cardiff
Alexander,Gilbert (Flood 46),McNaughton,Purse,Loovens,Chopra (Glombard 90),Thompson (Campbell 75),Parry,Ledley,Scimeca
Subs Johnson,Howard