Kevan Broadhurst had the luxury of a near full squad to choose from, with only three players missing. Ian Sampson returned from suspension and John Frain returned from injury. The only major casulty was Sam Parkin who pulled out of the selection with a late strain.
The Cobblers began where they left off against Port Vale, in the second minute, Marco Gabbiadini headed the ball into the path of Paul McGregor, who's shot was well saved by Neil Alexander. Only a minute later Daryl Burgess flicked on Roy Hunter's long throw but Gabbiadini drove over from two yards. This was an early let off for the Bluebirds!
Gabbiadini then curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area before McGregor's volley from the edge of the area was again well saved by Alexander. In the 15th minute Richard Hope volleyed the ball against a Cardiff defender following a freekick, before the Bluebirds had their first attack of the game in the 18th minute. Andy Cambell hit just wide of Keith Welch's goal. James Hunt then crossed for Hope, but the Cobblers defender's header went just over the cross bar. Moments later Alexander was forced to save well from Hunter's 25 yards effort.
The sucker punch hit the Cobblers in the 32nd minute, a defensive slip allowed Paul Brayson to shoot from close range, Welch saved well but the rebound fell to Leyton Maxwell, who fired home superbly from 25 yards. The Cobblers hit straight back though, Hunt's 25 yard volley was well saved by Alexander, but the equaliser followed moments later, Hargreaves met Hunter's long throw, but the Cobblers midfielder didn't get a definite connection on his shot, although Gabbiadini was on hand to knock the ball in from close range.
The home fans were still celebrating when suddenly Cardiff took the lead again, Campbell raced away from the Cobblers defence, with the whole of the West Stand screaming for the lineman's flag, the Middlesborough loan man colly slotted the ball past Welch.
Town threw everything back at the visitors in the second half, Jamie Forrester cut inside Bolland and curled a shot past Alexander, but Legg headed the ball off the line. On 60 minutes, Gabbiadini found himself in space after a neat turn, but he shot straight at Alexander. At the other end Paul Brason drove wide from 25 yards, this was Cardiff's first effort on goal in the second half.
Twenty minutes from time, Kevan Broadhurst introduced Derek Asamoah and Ian Sampson, but the Cobblers defender was given a target man role up front as Town searched for the deseved equaliser. In the 80th minute Forrester shot just wide from 20 yards, but Cardiff desparately hung on to the three points.
Editor's View
Full credit goes to the Cobblers for their battling spirit, we fully deserved at least a point from this game, but were undone by two quality finishes. We had almost twice as many shots on goal as Cardiff and probably about two thirds of the possession, if we continue to play like this, we will stay up!
Cobblers Man of ther Match
Chris Hargreaves, battled through the heart of midfield
Ref Watch
Mr Bennett wasn't too bad, there was only a few minor mistakes. I wasn't the only one in the ground who thought the Cardiff second goal was offside, but the linesman's flag never materialised.
The Cobblers began where they left off against Port Vale, in the second minute, Marco Gabbiadini headed the ball into the path of Paul McGregor, who's shot was well saved by Neil Alexander. Only a minute later Daryl Burgess flicked on Roy Hunter's long throw but Gabbiadini drove over from two yards. This was an early let off for the Bluebirds!
Gabbiadini then curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area before McGregor's volley from the edge of the area was again well saved by Alexander. In the 15th minute Richard Hope volleyed the ball against a Cardiff defender following a freekick, before the Bluebirds had their first attack of the game in the 18th minute. Andy Cambell hit just wide of Keith Welch's goal. James Hunt then crossed for Hope, but the Cobblers defender's header went just over the cross bar. Moments later Alexander was forced to save well from Hunter's 25 yards effort.
The sucker punch hit the Cobblers in the 32nd minute, a defensive slip allowed Paul Brayson to shoot from close range, Welch saved well but the rebound fell to Leyton Maxwell, who fired home superbly from 25 yards. The Cobblers hit straight back though, Hunt's 25 yard volley was well saved by Alexander, but the equaliser followed moments later, Hargreaves met Hunter's long throw, but the Cobblers midfielder didn't get a definite connection on his shot, although Gabbiadini was on hand to knock the ball in from close range.
|
The home fans were still celebrating when suddenly Cardiff took the lead again, Campbell raced away from the Cobblers defence, with the whole of the West Stand screaming for the lineman's flag, the Middlesborough loan man colly slotted the ball past Welch.
Town threw everything back at the visitors in the second half, Jamie Forrester cut inside Bolland and curled a shot past Alexander, but Legg headed the ball off the line. On 60 minutes, Gabbiadini found himself in space after a neat turn, but he shot straight at Alexander. At the other end Paul Brason drove wide from 25 yards, this was Cardiff's first effort on goal in the second half.
|
Twenty minutes from time, Kevan Broadhurst introduced Derek Asamoah and Ian Sampson, but the Cobblers defender was given a target man role up front as Town searched for the deseved equaliser. In the 80th minute Forrester shot just wide from 20 yards, but Cardiff desparately hung on to the three points.
Editor's View
Full credit goes to the Cobblers for their battling spirit, we fully deserved at least a point from this game, but were undone by two quality finishes. We had almost twice as many shots on goal as Cardiff and probably about two thirds of the possession, if we continue to play like this, we will stay up!
Cobblers Man of ther Match
Chris Hargreaves, battled through the heart of midfield
Ref Watch
Mr Bennett wasn't too bad, there was only a few minor mistakes. I wasn't the only one in the ground who thought the Cardiff second goal was offside, but the linesman's flag never materialised.