Cardiff 1-0 Sheff Wednesday (Report)

Cardiff City started the match in breathtaking fashion. The Bluebirds played with a quick tempo, with slick, intricate passing. Stephen McPhail was instrumental in a bright opening and set-up Whittingham for a shot which was saved at the second opportunity by Lee Grant in the Owls goal.


Michael Oakes gathered well at the feet of Tudgay and parried a long shot from Leon Clarke but Cardiff City were well on top, playing positively and causing all sorts of problems for Wednesday.


Hasselbaink was a constant menace and showed exemplary movement, obviouslt benefitting from his recent rest. Hasselbaink saw a powerful effort tipped over and Roger Johnson hit the bar from the resulting corner.


After 35 minutes, Cardiff deservedly took the lead. Gavin Rae hit the ball over the top and the veteran Hasselbaink beat his defender and the keeper to slot home – a deserved goal for Cardiff, and for Hasselbaink.


Shortly afterwards, Joe Ledley played won possession, played a neat one-two with Whittingham and burst into the box, unfortunately the ball was on his weaker right foot and Ledley hit wide when well-placed.


HT: Cardiff 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday



The second half saw more of the same from Cardiff City and Glenn Loovens hit the post with a header. However Sheffield Wednesday showed good resilience and began to impose themselves.


Parry hit a low free-kick from distance, Grant blocked and did well to clear the rebound with Johnson lurking.


However, Sheffield Wednesday grew in stature and gained more possession. Oakes made a flying save from susbstitute Wallwork.


Too many crosses were coming in from Wednesday and Cardiff began to look nervous. Kevin McNaughton did well to head off the line after a shot looped over Oakes and former Cardiff loanee Deon Burton shot wide from a good position.


A massive (minimum) 6 minutes injury-time was announced to the worry of Cardiff fans. Much of that was awarded after a lengthy injury to Roger Johnson, who at one point looked in serious pain.


Some effective and composed time-wasting from Ledley and co, and Cardiff picked up a third successive 1-0 win at home. Its a fantastic reuslt for Cardiff, they should have been out of sight again, but the three points is key and its a clean sheet for Michael Oakes.


FT: Cardiff City 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday


A fine day for Hasselbaink and Cardiff City, some great football and, crucially, another win to continue the excellent run and move up to 8th in the table.