Cardiff Run Ended By Battling Stoke

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.