Lucky Bluebirds defeat Chesterfield.

Good Performance
By Chris O'Brien
November 24 2002

Cardiff were lucky to escape with all 3 points today, as the Bluebirds beat Chesterfield 1-0 at Ninian Park. Peter Thorne's first half header was the only goal of today's scrappy game.

Cardiff's home form has been excellent this season, and City fans didn't expect Chesterfield to stand in the way of the Bluebirds' 7th consecutive home victory.

The game proved far tougher than Cardiff expected, and City were very, very lucky to come away with all 3 points in today's scrappy affair.

The game had a slow start, and the first real chance of the game came to an unmarked Peter Thorne who's header from Willie Boland's cross gave City the lead.

Neil Alexander had a very sloppy game today, and looked to have cost City their lead after a shot from Glynn Hurst was spilled by the Scotsman and crossed the line - the referee disallowed the goal, judging than Alexander had been fouled - a real let off for Cardiff.

The Spirites had another great chance to get level, Glynn Hurst was fouled in the box by City defender, Chris Barker, and referee, R.Beeby, had no hesitation in awarding the visitors a spot-kick. Barker was lucky to not receive a booking. Brandon stepped up to the spot, Alexander went the wrong way, but Brandon's kick flew embarrassingly over the bar.

Former Cardiff 'keeper, Carl Muggleton made a good save from a Peter Thorne header late in the half to deny the £1.8million striker his brace, and as the half-time whistle went the score was still 1-0.

It was a very poor first half performance from City; he 13,331 in attendance had a right to expect better from the team who has cost City Owner, Sam Hammam millions of pounds.

Lennie Lawrence's half-time team talk didn't seem to improve City's performance, as the second half was equally as bad.

One of the best chances of the half fell to Peter Thorne, his shot was blocked by Chesterfield's number 1.

Chesterfield's frustration showed, as Steve Payne's header was blocked by Neil Alexander - and as the clock ticked down it started to look likely that they wouldn't get the goal they deserved.

Lawrence brought on Des Hamilton and Andy Campbell to replace Layton Maxwell and Robert Earnshaw who had both been disappointing.

Chesterfield continued to pressure City, but to no avail - and Andy Campbell should have doubled City's lead, his shot beat Muggleton but bounced off against the crossbar. Perhaps he should have done better, but a 2-0 scoreline would have been so harsh on Chesterfield.

As the referee's final whistle blew, the crowd gave mixed feelings to the City team who despite winning the game, didn't really deserve it.

Full Time Score - Cardiff City 1-0 Chesterfield