Website reaction to City's victory at Brentford

Last updated : 05 March 2003 By Michael Morris

A scrapy first half left City fans wondering where a goal was going to come from but the second half was dominated by a Bluebirds team that were a class above their London opponents.

Brentford produced very little, one shot that went a whisker wide and a corner on 45 mins. That was the extent of the Brentford attack in the first half. City were looking to attack on the break but there was little to trouble the Bees keeper.

Second half was a different story. As Brentford tried to push forward City were able to step up in class. The space afford City on the break was well utilised as City were able to stretch the play and Earnie was always looking to race through.

City's first goal came on 52 mins, City had the ball wide right it ran to Kav who put over an inch perfect cross for Scott Young to outjump the Brentford defence. Young's header beat the keeper but his the post, City fans groans turned into wild celebrations as the ball came off the post, hit the keeper and rolled back into the net. Scott Young or own goal?

City were rampant on the break and it was amazing that they never scored more. The goal that secured the win came when Earnie reacted quickest from an Alan Mahon header, a Brentford clearance was intercepted by Mahon's head and the ball ran towards the Brentford goal, Earnie was away and he smacked the ball past the keeper to the wild joy of the City fans.

Earnie could have scored more, poor finishing / good keeping kept him out, Thorne was a yard away from making it three, Mahon was buzzing around and Brentford were stretched.

There was a much higher level of passion and committment from City tonight and the way City fought for every ball and chased lost causes was a joy to watch.

Spencer Prior and Scott Young won just about everying at the back against one of ther biggest teams in the division. Boland and Bonner again ran their socks off, they challenged hard and were able to allow Kav to stamp his mark on the game. The City skipper was up for everything, he set up the first goal, he tracked back, was taking throw ins, was winning ball in midfield and pushing City forward.

Alexander had little to do all game.

It was a huge win for City, Crewe won but Wigan only drew and Oldham lost their unbeaten away record wen they went down at Bristol City.

Spencer Prior had one of his best games for City and receieved support from the 1,000 or more City fans, he was subbed on 85 mins and was rewarded with a standing ovation for his efforts.

Next up for City is Notts County at Ninian Park. A win would give us our first back to back wins since November, Crewe are at Tranmere and that will not be easy. City have pulled back 4 points on Crewe in the last week, we were away three times and picked up a creditable 7 points. Crewe only earned three points from three home games.

Three of the next four games are at Ninian Park. It's time now for Cardiff City, fans and players to turn Ninian Park into a winning fortress. We have drawn the last three games there, now we have to start winning.

An excellent night in West London, a first league win at Brentford since 1990 and a very optimistic feeling in the Cardiff City camp.