Championship: CARDIFF CITY 1 West Bromwich Albion 1 match report

CARDIFF CITY continued their play-off challenge – and it is a challenge rather than a push – with another hard fought, committed and spirited to draw 1-1 with West Brom, now Championship leaders, in an open and entertaining game but which produced few moments where either goalkeeper was tested.

Given Cardiff City’s continuing troubles and extreme lack of bodies in the squad, most fans would have settled for this result before kick-off and both sets of fans were pleased with a point apiece at final whistle.

Cardiff’s on field problems have not worsened but the threadbare squad meant the likes of Jay Bothroyd and Gavin Rae have to play on while unfit, sub options are minimal and to call midfield makeshift would be an understatement yet City weren’t too far off their strongest side.

CCFC: Marshall; Kennedy-Gerrard-Gyepes-McNaughton; Burke-Rae-Wildig-Whittingham; Chopra-Bothroyd.

West Brom moaned about players absent injured or suspended but oh to have a squad of the quantity and quality, they wouldn’t know how it is to compete at the top with our resources. They were not just out to seal their place at the top but avoid City landing a double over them for the first time in more than 80 years and had a strong line-up to boot.

WBA: Carson; Mattock-Olsson-Zuiverloon-Tamas; Koren-Brunt-Dorrans-Slory; Moore-Nouble

The attendance was an excellent 20,785 including 1,200 from the West Midlands and it made for a vocal occasion and it was City fans who roared first as the Bluebirds strong start and liveliness produced its reward with an 8^th minute PETER WHITTINGHAM penalty opener slamming home his spot kick, his 19^th goal of the season.

This came after Jay Bothroyd latched onto a Burke ball over the top, cut into the box in front of a defender and was crafty enough to wait for the challenge behind him. There was not a single doubt in my mind that it was a penalty even if Jay played for it but the ref was hesitant and only gave it after the lino signalled it. The defender involved was neither booked nor sent off which was brought into more focus later when he was carded.

West Brom looked rattled for a long period and Cardiff were playing some excellent football but the visitors gradually turned the tide and showed what quality they had, running the show for a 10 minute period with Slory so unlucky to see his effort beat Marshall but came away off the inside of a post. Shots were peppered on goal but not on target while Cardiff defended strongly and fought to preserve their lead even if it wasn’t always pretty.

A blow came midway through the half as Whitts had to depart injured bring Ross McCormack on a sub. We need him back for the weekend.

Just as it looked as though City were taking an interval lead, The Baggies boinged boinged levelling it with the last kick of the half, a soft goal taken by Zuiverloon flicking home after Marshall saved his initial free header.

H/T: CITY 1 WBA 1

The second half was open and end to end and, as Dave Jones rightly remarked, it looked like two boxers slugging it out in the final rounds as they gave everything they had.

The amazing thing was that there were so few clear chances of the back of it and when they did arrive, the lines were fluffed. Final passes, blocks, luck, whatever it was but neither keeper was required to save.

City survived two goalmouth scares including Burke clearing a scramble off the line in the final minute while

Wood put a free header wide from 4 yards but with Chopra chasing every lost cause and Bothroyd showing quality, City always carried a threat too, Bothroyd and McCormack both went close, and should have won it when Chops’ cut back took a kind deflection and left Chris Burke with a free shot on goal in the last 5 minutes but he placed his effort wide.

Gerrard and Gyepes both limped through large chunks of the second period while there were gasps and groans as Jay Bothroyd pulled up sharply with a hamstring pull looking the problem but, thankfully, it turned out to be cramp.

Honours even then and neither side could complain. Cardiff’s efforts are quite heroic and given the depleted squad and players clearly playing when they would not in ideal circumstances, it is churlish to criticise those who had poor displays such as Mark Kennedy, Gavin Rae and Steve Gerrard. Instead, they need support and they certainly got it from the fans. City are playing with spirit and fight that you can only admire and applaud.