Cardiff started brightly but the home side grew in confidence and began to dominate with Cardiff unable to sustain possession or find the decisive pass.
McPhail shot over for Cardiff while Oakes saved well from Sidebe after Loovens missed his kick. The game became scrappy in bitterly cold conditions and neither side showed the kind of quality they are capable of.
Stoke City took the lead and were as suprised as anyone when Liam Lawrence’s corner was missed by Parry and rebounded in off the unfortunate Johnson for another own goal.
The second Stoke goal came in the second half after a lightening fast break culminated in Riccardo Fuller going down under the slightest pressure from McNaughton. I didn’t think it was a penalty by any means but Fuller confidently doubled the Potters’ lead.
Cardiff did have some pressure, but rarely threatened until a Whittingham free-kick fell to HASSELBAINK at the far post to prod home. The goal gave Cardiff hope and they caused more problems for the gigantic Stoke defence.
Roger Johnson partnered Thompson in an attempt to win more in the air but it was to no avail as Stoke stood firm and Cardiff ran out of time and saw their impressive unbeaten record ended.
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Goarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrn Stoke… Shame, there’s always next season to try again for yous lot… Another season of championship football beckons for the sheep boffers. We on the other hand are going up. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSH…
I was there Stokie, sorry boss but you don’t look like promotion candidates to me.
The league says different though chief. Although I must admit, I tipped Cardiff to be top end of the table with the squad you have. Would love Hasselbaink up here. Upwards we go though
Stoke to the prem? LOL
look, stoke are deffinantly not premiership class, and neither are we. if either one of us goes up, with our teams we will make a record of no wins and no draws all loses, reason bein none of us have premiership class. if you look at the likes of west brom, they have players who can handle the premiership and will cope very well as they have money to attrack even better players. cardiff and stoke on the other hand, dont have the ability to win auto-matic promotion, so how are we gonna make it in the holy land of premiership
bluebird04 – I think I agree with you mate. What a financial boost it would be though. The up then back down payments would see a massive cash injection to build a stronger squad and attract better players. Best of luck for the rest of the season bb04. Maybe you’ll finish 3rd…………………….. Just behind Stoke.
Worthwhile financially for sure, but must be tough on the fans! Thought thats what Derby would do this season, but then they sack the manager – hardly his fault !!! Drop the donkey Sidebe if you do want promotion Stokie!
thanks stokiesteve72 – nearly everyone on this site i imagine is an adult, but being a 16 year old, i dont have the football knowledge most adults do so my views would be differant. but yes premiership football would be brilliant for clubs financially , cardiff and stoke, will be able to develop in training and youth facilities which is a big factor in attracting bigger players. and what ever is left can be spent on transfers. good luck ss72