Cardiff City 4-1 Leyton Orient - League Cup Report

The Bluebirds have advanced to the Second Round of the Carling League Cup following a comfortable 4-1 victory over Leyton Orient.

A Robert Earnshaw hat-trick and an Andy Campbell strike were more than enough to ease City to victory, with Ibehre's scrambled goal providing little more than consolation for the O's.

The score of 4-1 undoubtedly flattered the City. Orient worked extremely hard, and caused City problems throughout the evening, but it was their finishing in front of goal that cost them any chance of going through to the next round.

Lennie Lawrence made 5 changes from the one that drew 0-0 with Rotherham United on Saturday. Martyn Margetson, James Collins, Layton Maxwell, Jason Bowen and Gareth Whalley were all given their chance, as Lawrence.

One familiar face was amongst the Orient XI, with former City winger Matthew Brazier returning to Ninian Park. The 28-year-old was once hailed the "people signing", after signing for City for £100,000 following a superb loan spell. Sadly, Brazier never fulfilled his potential at Ninian Park, but he still received healthy applause from the City faithful before the kick-off.

Despite the 5 goals, the game itself was hardly a cracker, and for the first 40 minutes Orient had at least matches City.

The visitors had two excellent chances in the opening half-an-hour, with Layton Maxwell clearing a header off the line, and City surviving a goal-mouth scramble.

City's only changes of note in that period were a Mark Bonner shot, which flew over the bar and an Andy Campbell strike which did little to trouble the Orient 'keeper.

Up until this point, it would have been hard for a neutral to distinguish which of the sides was the Division One side. This all changed in the five minutes leading up to half-time.

Robert Earnshaw made a one-two with Gareth Whalley, cut inside from the left, and unleashed a peach of a shot from 20-yards out that gave the 'keeper no chance.

Amazingly, just seconds later, Earnshaw had doubled City's lead. Mark Bonner instantly won the ball from the re-start and played a neat pass to Earnshaw. The striker, who was placed in almost exactly the same place as his first goal, send a floating chip over the 'keeper to put City in firm control as the game approached the break.

The two goals really woke up the home support, who had been rather quiet up until then, with one chorus of "Stand up if you Hate Swansea!", the only chant of note.

A mention does have to go to the dismal 4,503 in attendance. This was our first home competitive match since the Playoff Final in May, and yet only the loyal support could be bothered to turn up! The press were full of praise for the support at the final, but again they failed to show for one of the less attractive matches.

The miserable few minutes for Orient continued, as their 'keeper Harrison was taken off on a stretcher following a clash from a corner-kick. He was replaced by the inexperienced Glen Morris.

Half Time - Cardiff City 2-0 Leyton Orient

Orient had the early spell of pressure in the second half, with Tony Vidmar and Danny Gabbidon both being caught out early on. However, Orient were failing to put any pressure on Martyn Margetson in the City goal, with a series of woeful shots.

City all-but tied up the victory on the 55 minute mark with Robert Earnshaw completing his hat-trick. The Zambian-born striker picked up the ball from a Campbell cross, turned, and neatly fired passed Morris in the Orient goal.

It was the second consecutive season that Earnshaw has hit a hat-trick in the League Cup First Round, with 3 goals away at Boston United last season in City's 5-1 victory.

From the re-start, City were quick to re-gain possession and fed a through ball to Andy Campbell. The English Under-21 international had been quiet for the majority of the evening, but sparked into life as he ran through several Orient defenders, then hit a delightful finish, which flew over the 'keeper, and went in off the underside of the bar. It was an excellent goal, which killed the tie, and proved what Campbell is capable of when his effort levels are there.

The scoreline was looking extremely harsh on Orient, but to their credit they continued to battle hard and got a very much deserved consolation goal with 15 minutes left on the clock. Ibehre turned in a corner to give his side the faintest glimmer of hope.

The 105 travelling fans celebrated their goal in style, with several minutes of sarcastic jumping around! Even the City supporters applauded their antics!

Orient almost got themselves back into the game when they had the ball in the net again. Hunt's shot was accidentally put in by Daniel Gabbidon following another goal-mouth scramble. Gabbidon's blushes were spared though when the goal was ruled out for offside.

With minutes left, youngster Stuart Fleetwood replaced Robert Earnshaw. Fleetwood is being hailed as a potential superstar in the media, and showed some lively play in the few moments he was on the field last night.

All in all, it was a very satisfactory night for the City. Not the most impressive of performances, but four excellent goals, and a place in the next round of the Cup that we are more than capable of having a good run in.

Full Time - Cardiff City 4-1 Leyton Orient

Cardiff City: Margetson, Vidmar, Collins, Gabbidon, Barker, Whalley, Maxwell, Bonner, Bowen, Earnshaw, Campbell. Subs: Robinson, Kavanagh, Boland, Fleetwood, Alexander.

Leyton Orient: Harrison, Hunt, Miller, Billy Jones, Lockwood, Newey, Brazier, Ebdon, Toner, Alexander, Purser. Subs: Morris, Tate, Harnwell, Ibehre, Stephens.

Referee: Mark Warren (W Midlands)

Didn't have one of his best games playing wise, but took all three of his goals extremely well, and proved his ability to turn a game from nothing.

Had Earnshaw not scored the two goals just before half-time, we could well have had a Cup upset on our hands.

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