Cardiff City 3 Doncaster Rovers 0. Match Report

Last updated : 09 March 2009 By Michael Morris
Cardiff City kept up the pressure at the top with a fine victory over a Doncaster Rovers side with an impressive away record.

First-half goals came from Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd, but the biggest cheer was for an Eddie Johnson strike that completed the scoring.

There was one change in the City line-up with Bothroyd returning to the action at the expense of Eddie Johnson, who was on the bench.

The Bluebirds went ahead in the 10th minute after good work from Peter Whittingham and Gavin Rae.

Rae spun out to the right, beat his man before crossing to Chopra, who lashed home from 10 yards for his eighth goal of the season.

Rae went close in the 20th minute after weaving his way into the middle but a weak shot was palmed behind by Donny keeper Neil Sullivan.

Mark Kennedy went close to conceding an own goal when he turned a Gareth Roberts cross behind and from the corner, Jason Price headed over when well placed.

Kennedy was forced off with an injury in the 26th minute and replaced by Miguel Comminges.

City were well on top and in the 29th minute Bothroyd doubled the lead when he chested down a through ball from Darcy Blake before hitting a right-foot shot beyond veteran keeper Sullivan.

That was Bothroyd's last contribution as two minutes later he limped off to be replaced by Eddie Johnson.

Just before the interval, Roger Johnson side-footed a Whittingham free -ick straight at Sullivan when either side would have meant a certain goal.

Eddie Johnson sent a shot close early in the second half as the Bluebirds went looking for the decisive third goal.

It came on the hour when Eddie Johnson netted his first goal for the dlub after picking up a short pass from Whittingham and driving across Sullivan into the far corner.

City's joy was tempered when Chopra became the third Bluebird to leave the field through injury with Ross McCormack taking over in the 63rd minute.

Rovers never gave up but it was another convincing home display by the Bluebirds to keep up their battle for promotion.

External Reports
Wales On Sunday
Cardiff City Official Website
Doncaster Rovers Official Website
The Yorkshire Star
Urban 75