Champ Game 37: CARDIFF CITY 2 WATFORD 1 match report

‘I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I can't get this pressure point out of my head’

Someone forgot to tell Ross McCormack about pressure as he conspired to produce drama and a match ending to rival away. Nails were bitten, thumbs were sucked, trousers turned brown, faces looked away but he coolly smacked home a 97^th(!!) minute last kick of the match winner as though it was a training exercise. Instead, it allowed Cardiff City and nearly 18,000 fans to express unbridled, joy, relief and mayhem all in the same moment as they beat Watford 2-1 at Ninian Park to cement their spot in the play-offs and keep auto-promotion hopes very much alive.

That goal sealed City coming from behind to win for the first time this season as Watford shocked the near 18,000 crowd by scoring a penalty of their own through Tommy Smith inside the first 10 minutes. Cardiff responded superbly as Jay Bothroyd levelled before a quarter of the game had elapsed but it was tough watching after that – despite magnificent support – as Cardiff missed a couple of great chances and then found Watford pushing hard at them to win the game.

Just as fans were accepting the point, a moment of madness by Ross Jenkins gifted City that penalty and three points – YOU BEAUTY!!!

Cardiff may have struggled on their travels – 1 point out of 9 – but home is where the heart is and where they remain imperious as it’s now 25 points put of the last 27 at Ninian Park. But boy, was it tough and a struggle tonight.

City made 2 changes from the side that grabbed a late and equally celebratory draw in Wurzle-land last Sunday with Chris Burke starting in place of Peter Whittingham and goalscorer in that game, Ross McCormack, putting Chops on the bench to join Mark Kennedy, available again after injury. There was still no place in the 16 for Quincy.

CARDIFF CITY: Taylor; McNaughton-Johnson-Gyepes-Capaldi; Burke-McPhail-Ledley-Parry McCormack-Bothroyd. Subs: Chopra-Eddie Johnson-Kennedy-Rae-Whittingham.

Watford were in the relegation mire but stand on the verge of safety after former Chelsea reserve boss Brendan Rogers took charge, apparently recommended for the post by Jose Mourinho. The had lost just 1 in 6 but their away from was suspect with 12 points from 18 trips. As expected, they lined up 4-5-1 but I can’t say their approach was negative at all and they tried hard to win the game even if City’s latest goalkeeper Stuart Taylor who next to no work to do.

WATFORD: Loach; Doyley-DeMerit-Mike Williamson-Mariappa; Cork-Cowie- McAnuff-Jenkins-Smith; Priskin.

Before kick-off, surreal but touching scenes at the club paid tribute to Chief Steward Jeff Richards who passed away at the weekend after initially being taken ill at a home game last month. The perimeter of the pitch was flanked by club stewards and staff as a minute’ applause took place. I honestly never knew we had that many stewards or that there were that many orange fluorescent jackets in Cardiff. RIP Jeff.

Cardiff started well and at a fast tempo aiming for an early goal but were rocked to be on the receiving end of one instead. Ex-City boy, Jobi McAnuff, a menace all night skinned McPhail for pace, turned away from McNaughton (who had a very uncomfortable evening) and was carelessly taken down my McPhail trying to atone for losing him earlier.

Recent Dave Jones target TOMMY SMITH took it in front of the Grange End, Taylor dived the right way but was beaten by power and precision as Smith hit the bottom corner.

However, showing their credentials, City responded superbly to that setback – when lesser Cardiff sides down the years would have crumbled – with Parry firing narrowly wide, Ledley’s rising volley after a sparkling move bringing a save out of Loach and then, 6 minutes after falling behind, another good build up, Burke crossed, Capaldi headed on and the ball fell to JAY BOTHROYD who showed excellent technique to half volley past a static Hornets keeper.

Watford’s back line looked creaky at this stage and showed why they were are the Championship’s second worst defence but that contrasted to a sharp forward line with Smith and McAnuff causing difficulties and giving Johnson and Gyepes a harder time than usual but City were doing most of the pressing.

McCormack just wide, Burke blocked, Capaldi throws and Parry corners causing problems and McCormack – working hard – just failing to connect at the far post but the game’s outstanding move should have put City in front as outstanding skills sent Joe Ledley clear but he elected to square the ball instead of shoot when the hard work was done and the chance was lost.

Half-time: CITY 1 WATFORD 1

Cardiff returned minus Paul Parry and with Peter Whittingham replacing him but City found it more of a struggle.

McNaughton – whose distribution was again poor as he strives for full fitness – was booked early for a scything tackle on McAnuff who remains a fast and classy talent before McCormack missed a sitter by peeling off his marker to meet a Whitts cross but he planted a header wide from 10 yards when it looked easier to get it on target.

As the game became more scrappy and congested, the Ninian crowd truly got behind the team as BARMY ARMY boomed from all sides of the ground for a prolonged period then other City chants reigned down but Watford were now looking comfortable and showing ambition to take the game on the break.

City’s best hope of a goal appeared to be from set pieces but Watford were coping with corners while edge of area free-kicks were poor. McCormack (twice) and Whittingham all hitting the wall. Chopra was thrown on for Burke and almost immediately hit another free-kick into the wall as City found more balls as two were hammered onto the Grandstand roof.

Nerves jangled as Watford carried more threat and huge sighs went around as Joe Ledley misdirected a header back at Taylor while Priskin nodded wide at the near post while McAnuff tried to cut McNaughton in two with one challenge and become the 4^th Watford man to be carded.

As McCormack hit another free-kick into a defensive wall, a number started to leave early – this despite a feeling there may be a late twist even though many of us were resigned to the draw … and hoped it wasn’t to be worse!

Three minutes were added, another huge roar but Watford came again and won a corner in the final moments. When that went behind for a goal-kick, some wondered if the whistle would blew and Taylor took it but City controlled the ball and, without warning, McCormack unleashed a venomous25 yarder that Loach pushed over with remarkable reflexes.

That meant time for one more corner. Swung to the far post by Whitts, Gypes headed goalwards and then enter the Bluebirds new hero, Watford midfielder Ross Jenkins who looked ready to chest it away but then threw hands at the ball. The ref looked and blew or a penalty. TV later proved he was right and, to compound Jenkins’ madness, City’s header was going wide anyway so it was completely needless.

ROSS McCORMACK grabbed the ball but could not take it for at least 2 minutes as Watford man appealed, harangued the ref and protested to high heavens. Then more agony as the ref walked to the linesman to check. The lino would never have got out of South Wales alive had he overturned it but he had the good sense to confirm it was the correct decision. Up stepped Roscoe and bang, same spot as Watford’s penalty.

Ninian had a bigger eruption than Vesuvius; fans hugged, danced, jumped, ran down stairwells and were out of control in joy. Watford kicked off, the moment that the ball was touched, final whistle blew! It was that close. Boy oh boy, joy o joy.

It was tough watching but I guess we’re just going to have to get used to it over the next few weeks. Defensively, City coped well although McNaughton needs to return to his best form. Capaldi impressed me, he got forward more in one match tonight than all of last season.

The wide boys yet again produced as little entertainment as James Corden’s comedy sketch show and Steve McPhail continues to divide opinion like Marmite except most people now don’t get him as he produced few telling moments and was quite anonymous tonight. I’d get Rae back in there fast. Joe Ledley had a poor game too as our entire midfield unit struggled yet was awarded man of the match by the sponsors. Someone had obviously enjoyed their sherry to do that.

Up front, Bothroyd put in a better show yet still seemed to be complaining about his leg but City look a better side with him while Ross McCormack was hungry and tried everything – including whipping up noise on the Bob Bank during one break in play – and deserved his late reward.

City are now 5^th with only goals scored seeing Sheffield United above them in 4^th – that sets it up for a cracker between those two side at Ninian Park next up in Sunday.