Cardiff City Ease To Win Over Pirates

Cardiff City strode purposefully into the next round of the Carling Cup after a 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers last night. The Bluebirds largely dominated the game after naming a strong line-up with Adam Matthews, Joe Ledley and Jay Bothroyd making way for Cpaldi, McPhail and new loan signing Kelvin Etuhu.

City made some strong runs with Chopra in particular looking lively. It was Chops who got the opener after the half-hour mark when good work from Etuhu presented him with a close range finish. Gyepes hit the post while Chris Burke was again a nuisance to the opposition defence.

Peter Whittingham looked to have made the game safe after an hour when Whittingham converted a rebound from a Burke shot but City lost a little momentum at this stage and allowed Rovers a sniff. Steve Elliot was left un-marked to head home a corner and reduce the defecit. Rovers were in the ascendancy but saw their hopes killed off by substitute Josh Magennis as he nipped in front of a defender to nod home a Burke cross.

There were good points and bad points for City, some of the movement was top drawer while Etuhu was lively and committed though missed a few decent chances. The marking for Rovers` goal was awful while Riccy Scimeca made a welcome return to the first team.