Oldham 1 v City 2 - Match Report

Scored
By CCFCSleepingGiant.com
August 11 2002

City got their 2002-03 campaign off to a flying start with victory at Boundary Park. Almost 4,000 Bluebirds made the long journey north and they were not disappointed thanks to goals from Campbell and Earnshaw.

Report from CCFCSleepingGiant.com

It was not the 7-1 scoreline of last season, but it was still a brilliant opening result against a team who, like ourselves, have promotion aspirations.

As coach after coach pulled up outside Boundary Park, it dawned on me how much this means to the fans of Cardiff City FC. This season is our most important for decades - promotion is crucial.

And what a turnout it was by the boys from South Wales. Almost 4,000 City fans took their seats ready for the start of yet another season of thrills and torture. I don't care what the Oldham fans say, we were making one hell of a noise.

With Scott Young ruled out with a slight injury, new signing Chris Barker made his league debut at centre-back with fellow new boy Gary Croft to his left in a four-man defence.

To the surprise of the majority of City fans, Leo Fortune-West started the match ahead of Robert Earnshaw. Earnie has not been in fantastic form since scoring the winner against Germany for Wales. Peter Thorne and Andy Campbell were Leo's partners in a three-pronged attack.

City, wearing their Brazilian yellow kit, started a little anxiously but our defence was looking solid nevertheless. Barker looked like a natural centre-back with several quality clearances when under pressure.

Boland, who is suspended for our next two games, tried to settle his team-mates, but there were some worrying moments as Killen's shot from 20 yards swerved just wide.

City's first chance of the season came after good work from Gareth Whalley, who was also making his league debut. The former Bradford midfielder sidestepped his man and had a shot from just outside the penalty area. Fortune-West got his head to it and Oldham 'keeper Les Pogliacomi had to react smartly to turn the effort away.

But there was nothing Pogliacomi could do after 21 minutes, City storming into an early lead through Andy Campbell. Thorne powered down the right and the Latics cleared for a corner. Kav's in-swinging setpeice was headed on by Barker and Campbell cleverly hooked home from 15 yards.

Campbell, who scored a hat-trick last time he was at Boundary Park, ran to the Oldham fans behind the goal and pointed to his name at the back of his shirt. I think they know who is now!

The Cardiff fans erupted into voice chanting "we want seven" amongst hundreds of other witty things. In reply, a group of 20 home supporters waved their hands around a bit.

That goal helped settle us down and we started to play some very attractive, flowing football. Our defence was also looking solid and Alexander had not really been tested.

Playing 4-3-3, we were out-numbered in midfielder and that showed at times, but our work-rate was better than our opponent's.

In an attempt to knock us out of our stride, Oldham tried to rough us up a bit. Julien Baudet and Fitz Hall were booked for fouls on Whalley and Fortune-West.

The half time whistle was greeted by cheers from the travelling supporters. A committed display by City had put us in a commanding position at the interval.

Half-time: Oldham Athletic 0 Cardiff City 1.

Oldham came out determined for the second period and pinned us back in our own half for the opening 10 or 12 minutes. Baudet had their best chance, but he volleyed wide from 12 yards when he really should have hit the target.

Thanks to a few good individual displays, City weathered the early storm and regained control. Our passing returned and we looked in a comfortable position.

Oldham made a switch in their attack after 61 minutes when Carlo Corazzin replaced Killen.

With 69 minutes gone City sent on Earnshaw for Campbell and that sparked extra life into a tiring City team. Campbell had done well to score his goal, but I still feel he needs to work harder when he hasn't got the ball, closing players down and so forth.

Almost as soon as Earnie was on the pitch, the match was delayed for some six minutes as groundsmen battled to repair a broken sprinkler. The City fans used the time as a chance to show off their Welsh singing talents.

Gareth Whalley was linking play up well with some neat passes, while Chris Barker looked invincible at the back. Gary Croft also worked hard and defended well, but he didn't have much of a chance to demonstrate his attacking qualities.

Earnshaw was booked for a foul after 82 minutes, while Cardiff sent on James Collins for Thorne soon after as manager Lawrence set out to ensure his team held their advantage.

Immediately, Earnshaw doubled City's lead after good work by big Leo. Kavanagh's free-kick was thumped into the danger area and Fortune-West challenged the 'keeper. The ball ran loose and Earnie had the simple job of hooking the ball into the empty net.

Earnshaw's joy was obvious. The youngster ripped his shirt off, performed his somersault and ran into the ecstatic Cardiff fans. He was lucky to escape without a caution.

Andy Legg was Cardiff's third substitution, going on for Whalley after 86 minutes.

Deep into the seven minutes of injury time, substitute Duxbury pulled one back as 'keeper Neil Alexander failed to hold onto a high cross and the ball ran loose. That meant some nervy moments for the Cardiff faithful, but City held on to take the three points.

There's certainly room for improvement, but I think we just about deserved it today. It was a display of great commitment and also great passing.

The Cardiff fans were impeccably behaved during the 90 minutes. Only one man was taken away by stewards, and that was for running onto the pitch during half time.

All in all, it was a fantastic day. Roll on Tuesday!