Championship: CARDIFF CITY 3 Watford 1 match report

As weekends and play-off aspirations go, it could not possibly have been better. Incredibly, every play-off rival from 4th to 11th spot managed a draw other than Cardiff City who ran out 3 - 1 winners over Watford in a Sunday game. Cardiff took an early lead and endured a very uncomfortable hour before gaining control and taking the sting out of the Hornets.

It is a result that took City 5 points clear of the chasing pack with a home game in hand, a far better goal difference and just 9 games to go. How times change at Cardiff City - last home game there was a demo, fears of administration(which still remain) and a feeling we were about to slip away in the play-off race. Now, the club seem relaxed that investment from T.G. is around the corner, the mood is buoyant and a play-off spot looks ever likely. Only at Cardiff!

City went into the encounter with a makeshift defence as Kevin McNaughton and Anthony Gerrard, the midweek centre halves in the win at Coventry, were both absent injured while Adam Matthews was rumoured to be dropped after Dave Jones singled him out as a cause for Coventry's goal - he had almost the entire defence to choose from where I was watching!

However Gabor Gyepes returned from his own injury, Paul Quinn was called up and Darcy Blake was asked to continue as a makeshift centre-back, just as he did at Coventry in the second half. Up front Chops was available again post-suspension but he had to time his time on the bench as Dave Jones continued with McCormack alongside Jay Bothroyd.

CARDIFF CITY: Marshall: Quinn-Blake-Gyepes-Kennedy; Whittingham-Rae-McPhail-Burke; Bothroyd-McCormack. The subs bench contained the only other players Dave Jones had remaining and fit - Enckleman, Capaldi, Taiwo, Matthews, Wildig, Chopra, Feeney.

Watford, like Cardiff, have had their own off the field problems this season and recently avoided administration by a whisker. They turned up in and departed South Wales, just 3 points above the drop zone having now lost 5 out of 7 but they have games in hand and on their showing today, they really should be fine. However they are vulnerable on the road with no away win for 5 months, their home record is comparable to Cardiff's.

They quest to avenge a 0-4 home defeat to City was hampered by injuries to key players as well and pivotal central defender Jay De Merit and exciting Arsenal loaneee midfield prospect Henri Lansbury both missed out leaving them with a slightly makeshift defence.

WATFORD: Loach: Doyley-Taylor-Mariappa-Hodson; Cowie-Jenkins-Cleverly-Eustace; Helguson-Hoskins.

It was a designated Family Fun Day and, for once, Cardiff City pulled out all the stops showing more imagination in one afternoon than they had managed the entire season. Kids for a quid, a fairground in the car park, new Playstation and kids tv areas in the Family Stand, a choir on the pitch pre-game, dancers and football freestyling at half-time and they were blessed with good weather, a gorgeous mild spring day with sunny skies. The crowd was announced as 20,130 but that included about 400 Watford fans and a lot of missing season ticket holders looking around the place.

Cardiff made a bright start to match the conditions and took a thunderous lead on 7 minutes with a pearler. A mini spell of pressure saw City blocked after a terrific move, the second phase saw Chris Burke just about denied at the far post but the resulting corner hit by Whitts went to the far stick where ROSS McCORMACK hit a stunning half-volley first time which drilled low through the crowd and a static, helpless Watford keeper and defence. A terrific piece of skill and the crowd loved it.

Thoughts we were about to see a first class City attacking display soon evaporated however as Watford spent the rest of the half taking the game to us and causing immense problems. Seizing on the lack of height in City's defence - and entire side! - with only Gyepes and Bothroyd being tall players, their tactic was to hit the far post and load up. Their freakish centre half Martin Taylor who looked like he should have been in the middle of a 6 Nations line out caused trouble too and it was uncomfortable viewing as City struggled and rode their luck.

Last ditch tackles, scrambles, Taylor hitting a post, another header coming off the underside of the bar, we could all see what was coming but Cardiff were struggling to prevent it.

City fans and players were also becoming agitated at some perceived inefficient refereeing and decisions. There did appear to be a spell where everything went Watford's way and against Cardiff with City players penalised for tackles and pushes while the visitors got away with identical or worse. By the interval, Jay Bothroyd got his 9th yellow card of the season, very harsh for a nudge, and knows that another before Easter will bring a 2 game suspension. However it was only his 2nd in 15 games, he had 7 in the 15 before that! Mark Kennedy, by comparison, was left flattened by an altogether worse challenge as he was aerial which left him in discomfort and unable to continue after the break, Tony Capaldi taking his place.

Half-time: CARDIFF 1 WATFORD 0

The onslaught continued towards City's goal but had become less intensive and despite our lucky escapes, David Marshall had somehow not been called on to make a single save which, perhaps, was telling.

Cardiff were starting to play and move better with Steve McPhail looking the composed and class act pulling the strings in the centre, Gyepes looking very strong at the back (I thought he was excellent throughout) and Blake coming away with the ball which finally gave a platform to build on.

Capaldi did well too, he was putting variation on his passes instead of the all too predictable Mark Kennedy sand wedge chip and his long throws when City got forward helped relieve pressure and create our own.

Watford made changes using all their subs in the opening 20 minutes of the half but City had doubled their lead by that point and were finally getting on top. The second goal saw a swift move down the right where Chris Burke, after an anonymous first half came to life, and after racing away and checking out, he hit over the perfect cross which PETER WHITTINGHAM headed downwards from close range giving Loach no chance. Yes - seriously, Whitts with a header!! That was his 21st of the season - quite amazing when his enitre career total was 19 before this season.

That came on 63 and lift all the nerves and anxiety both in the crown and the team. While only one Watford goal away from a return of panic, Cardiff were now putting together some great passing and movement and looking the good unit that they are. Chris Burke especially was enjoying himself and creating a buzz.

Jay Bothroyd who had a battle but led the line superbly was so unlucky as he met a Burke cross, looped a perfect header back across goal and was denied by an equally perfect save from Loach at full stretch but that was only temporary respite for Watford as CHRIS BURKE took the ball out of defence with Watford advanced and set off on a mazy 70 yard run on the left with the crowd willing him all the way. He beat two defenders for pace, the ball kindly fell back his way as he tried to shoot and that enabled him to side-foot past Loach. How we loved it.

With the game in the bag, Dave Jones clearly had Wednesday's game against Sheffield United in mind as he took off Bothroyd and replaced him with Feeney ahead of Chopra (was that a message to Chops?) before Chops appeared a few minutes later replacing McCormack. Feeney was Feeney, Chops created some danger and looked lively in his cameo.

David Marshall and his defence craved a clean sheet but Watford got the consolation they, and half their remaining fans, deserved and a fine one it was too with HELGUSSON latching onto a looping header with a fine first time left footed volley as added time started.

The home game on Wednesday is now massive as 6th place City face 7th place Sheffield United who I've felt for some time are the only team who can knock us out of the play-offs if we don't blow up ourselves. Many City fans would be happy to take a draw right now but with The Blades having just 1 draw and 6 defeats in their last 7 aways and looking at the sizeable gap, they will have far more to fear than City. Bring'em on!