Cardiff 3 Peterborough 0. Match Report.

Last updated : 04 November 2002 By NigelBlues

The reason it was 10 man Peterborough was because the game had one of the most dramatic openings at any Cardiff City match as Posh kicked off worked the ball forward, were dispossessed and, from deep, Maxwell launched a ball over the top that saw Earnie hauled down by centre-half Simon Rea as he was closing on goal. Referee Paul Danson had no option but to show Rea the red card after just 15 seconds, reputedly the 2nd quickest sending off after the start of a game in British football history (and yes I did miss it because I was still walking down Sloper Road after leaving the pub late!!).

The red card was maybe what Cardiff City needed to break a hoodoo not only from Posh, but also their eccentric manager, Barry Fry. The last time Peterborough lost at Ninian Park was almost 28 years ago when Willie Anderson, Phil 'Joe' Dwyer and Tony Evans blasted the Bluebirds to a 5-2 win in a season we got promoted. Since then, Peterborough have left South Wales with 5 draws and 3 wins.

It's a more incredible run when you consider that City have only lost four times at home over 90 minutes in the past two and a half years (an amazing record) but two of those 4 home defeats were Posh last season who beat us at Ninian in the LDV Trophy and then in the league too, a week after we beat Leeds in that magical FA Cup game. As for Fry, Cardiff City hadn't managed to beat one of his sides since Eddie Newton, Nathan Blake, Carl Dale and Co inspired us to a 3-1 win back in 1990. So there were demons to overcome for those who believe in these things.

However, as neat and efficient as Peterborough were, the gulf footballing-wise between the teams was enormous. Only the most loyal Posh fan would consider otherwise. It was a one-sided demolition with City barely needing to break sweat and still being totally in control. Peterbourgh managed one measly effort on goal and for large periods, City's dominance resembled a training session kickabout as Posh . were made to look ordinary and exactly what they are, a team with a major relegation battle of their hands and one they may struggle to win.

Cardiff deserve plaudits though. For so many years, we've seen them unable to beat those sorts of teams after winning big matches and all too often, we've been unable to overcome 10 man teams too. The way they took care of business was highly competent.

City made one change from the side that defeated Mansfield. With Leggy still sidelined, Gareth Whalley returned to his left side midfield role ahead of Chris Barker, who had been used there out of his normal position anyway.

The red card was almost immediately punished as Kav's thunderous free-kick, after Rea's offence, smacked off the bar with Tyler nowhere. The game settled down after that, Cardiff prepared to be methodical and bide their time for chances knowing that they would come. Peterborough now playing 3-4-2 looking fairly comfortable but knowing they would face trouble.

City, although totally in control, took some time to terms with the pitch which was very greasy after the rain saturation, the ball spinning and speeding off its surface with players struggling to keep their feet too. But they were their own enemies at times too, getting caught offside too often, guilty of not spreading play but the lack of width is nothing new and sending in the usual array of floated crosses from deep as opposed to by-line crosses or players getting behind defenders.

You shouldn't criticise an acceptable result but City's biggest failing on the afternoon was that they frequently over-elaborated and seemed to have a phobia of hitting shots at goal. The afternoon was perfect for players to try pot shots zipping off the pitch but too many looked for another pass instead. Maxwell didn't though but his efforts mainly put spectators at risk but at least he had a go.

It was becoming obvious that a goal was mostly likely from a mistake or an aerial route and the latter brought about a fantastic opener. Gary Croft advanced down the left, passed inside to Boland who switched right to the ever excellent Rhys Weston. His cross was met by Peter Thorne on the edge of the box with one of his textbook cushioned headers and met by GRAHAM KAVANAGH who smashed home a volley with real venom off the underside off the bar from 10 yards with Tyler motionless. Superb technique all round and you sensed the game was already over for City's opponents.

Posh had some useful players and a few "names" too - notably Graham Hyde in midfield and Andy Clarke - supposedly one of Sam's best football mates - in attack but while they played some neat stuff and kept players forward, they had no penetration. If they got forward, either Prior's no nonsense approach or King Gabbi's coolness took care of things with ease. John Toshack, a City guest for the day in the Director's Box, must have enjoyed watching Gabbidon put on another faultless display although there were some concerns shortly before half-time as he fell heavily on his arm/shoulder but carried on after treatment.

In added time, Peterborough got their sole on target effort of the afternoon, Allen giving Alexander a very simple stop. I think I could have kept a clean sheet for City today but that's a tribute to the team.

Not an exciting half but we were ahead and comfortable. City's corner kicks and crossing let them down again, only Maxwell willing to shoot and they were strolling when they could have put more energy in the game but it was one way dominance and you couldn't see any way there was going to change.

Barry Fry, normally so animated and vocal, was very subdued all afternoon. Deep down, I'm sure he knew that his side were unable to compete. For those familiar with management speak, he had probably spent all week preaching "The Three P's" only to realise it stood for P*ss Poor Peterborough on the day itself.

Half-time: CITY 1 PETERBORO 0

With news that Wigan and Oldham were winning, City fans were still buoyed by hearing that Brizzle Zity were losing at home to Notts County. Annoyingly, it was abandoned 3 minutes into the 2nd half to give the Wurzels a 2nd chance at a game they were messing up.

Earnie so nearly doubled City's lead and killed the game in the opening 2nd half exchanges as he latched onto a Whalley through and, although at an angle, you expect him to finish but he fired just wide across goal. His moment came on 53 mins with a run and penalty goal that was all about Earnie.

Receiving the ball wide right, Earnie produced a piece of magic with his quick feet as a shuffle left his marker yards behind in an instant. He beat one challenge in the area before cutting back inside and being caught. The penalty was instantly awarded by Danson.

EARNIE showed all the confidence of a veteran he grabbed the ball, took it to the spot, calmly waited while all the usual protests and delaying antics went on, keeping his back turned on everyone until Danson blew for it to be taken. Once he did, Earnie jogged to the ball feinting one way to the other and although Tyler dived the right way, Earnie's high drive was powered into the net, no keeper could have saved it. 2-0 and somersault time with Earnie dancing away too. It was cooler than cool.

Four minutes later, it was 3-0 and after bagging his 1st career goal only 7 days ago, it was RHYS WESTON again. A Kav corner was half cleared by a header which looped in the air. As it dropped, Weston centre of goal almost on the penalty sport fired into the ground, the ball bounced and flew high into the top right corner of Tyler's goal. Weston celebrated with his hand over his mouth, not quite believing he had netted again and his own dance. It looked like a raindance and probably was as the rains immediately came down heavier!!

Expectancy was that City would now power on to a 5 or 6 margin and, certainly Posh looked ready to fold. Incredibly, at 3-0 behind, their keeper was purposely time wasting and was getting plenty of stick from the Grange End. It was damage limitation time for them.

However the final half hour of the match passed by without any great incident, a damp squib ahead of Bonfire Night. City had done their job, Peterborough were content for things not to get any worse. Both sides brought on their full allowance of subs - Campbell, Barker and Leo all getting 15 - 20 minute appearances with Whalley, Weston and Thorne making way, all to big ovations.

City had chances, Kav, a couple of times, and Earnie fired wide. Earnie could/should have had another penalty as Tyler tapped him to the floor and Gabbidon was taking them on like a thoroughbred. It was Andy Campbell set the pulses racing most in his 3rd successive strong showing from the bench. Playing wide right and behind the front two, he showed some piercing runs, leaving markers struggling behind him. His passing was either too far ahead of the attackers or they were too slow to react depending on what fans believed, I was in the former camp.

There were a few "ooooohs" in the closing moments. "Oooooooo" as Prior narrowly headed wide from a Kav free-kick, "wooooo oooh" as Jason "he's got a pineapple on his head" but now a skinhead Lee headed powerfully into the Canton Stand and "ooooo-you what????" as Layton Maxwell was named man of the match by the sponsors who I assume were Maxell, Maxwell & Maxwell Solicitors or something.

No City player truly stood out, it was the combined team effort that impressed. Maybe Maxi got it for his wayward shooting but Gary Croft, Weston and Gabbidon were ahead of him as individual performers on the day.

The last hour was disappointing but the job was done and Peterborough, like Tranmere last weekend, had nothing to offer and were unable to hold City or give them a testing game. Even if they had 11, they weren't good enough to do that.

There is now clear daylight at the top of Division Two. City, Wigan and Oldham stealing a march on everyone else although Brizzle can come into it too thanks to that game in hand they will now have which they were losing. Cardiff remain just a point clear of Oldham and have 2 points gap over Wigan but it's now 8 points over QPR in 5th.

A problem a few weeks ago, goal difference, has changed too. City's is now 3rd best all of a sudden (although the better ones are Oldham and Wigan who are 4 and 1 more). It's all about goals, strikers will always be heroes and we've scored a few this week but praise must also go the City's defence, often criticised, but they now have 4 clean sheets in 5 matches and 8 in 14 matches. Maintain that sort of record and we get promoted, have no doubts.

External reports
The Western Mail
Wales On Sunday