Cardiff City 2-1 Coventry City

Cardiff City rode their luck at times to record a valuable win over Coventry City at Ninian Park with the visitors missing a number of decent chances as Cardiff City again struggled to dominate.


It was Cardiff City who took the lead, slightly against the run of play. A brilliant Whittingham pass released Jay Bothroyd on the right, there was plenty left to do but Bothroyd showed good pace and determination to fly past the defender before angling a shot past Westwood.


In the second half, Cardiff looked the better side. Nevertheless, a moment of real controversy saved some blushes after a Freddie Eastwood ‘goal’ was ruled out in bizarre circumstances. Coventry had possession in their own half and quickly moved up-field culminating in a neat pass and finish by Eastwood. However, after 30 seconds celebration by the Sky Blues and remonstration with the referee by City – Roger East consulted with his assistant only to disallow the goal.


From my position in the bob bank, I clearly saw the assistant raise his flag early in the move only to quickly put it down. As McPhail & co realised – it was for a handball and not offside as the referree assumed. Despite seeing the flag, even when the referee consulted – I didn’t believe the goal would be disallowed so credit to Mr East for his bravery.


A number of chances went begging to extend the lead, a Purse shot was brilliantly saved while Bothroyd’s header from a McCormack cross was also dealt with by Westwood before a wicked Kennedy cross narrowly evaded the former Wolves man. With just minutes to go, Ledley was felled in the box allowing McCormack to seal the points with another well taken spot-kick.


Of course, City couldnt win the easy way and some sloppy defending allowed Scott Dann to grab a consolation and set up a nervy 5 minutes added time. Nevertheless a crucial win for City, if a little fortunate.