Cardiff City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion - Report

Lennie Lawrence started with the same side that beat Wimbledon 1-0 on Saturday, with Graham Kavanagh still out injured in the midfield. Gavin Gordon started up front again, with Peter Thorne still not fit enough to get through ninety minutes. However, City's record signing was introduced as a substitute in the second-half.

City started the brighter of the two sides, creating numerous chances in the early exchanges. Richard Langley went close with a long-range drive that was tipped over the bar by England-hopeful Russell Hoult, with Danny Gabbidon heading the resulting corner only inches wide.

First Division leading scorer Robert Earnshaw had City's best first-half chance on the quarter-hour mark. The Zambian-born forward latched onto a Gavin Gordon cross and looked certain to score 12-yards-out, but his shot was weak and was comfortably gathered by Hoult. Gordon created another opening for City moments later, heading Julian Gray's cross towards John Robinson, only for the Welsh international to send his shot well-wide from 15-yards.

However, after 20-minutes of City dominance, the visitors started to take control of the game. Jason Koumas had a great chance mid-way through the first-half. The Welsh international, who was one of City's boo-boys for the day, went on a run through the City defence before having hit shot parried by Neil Alexander, who held onto the rebound shot from Hulse.

Minutes later West Bromwich Albion attacker Scott Dobie was forced to be taken off after a clash with City 'keeper Neil Alexander. It was another Albion striker who was on the lips of all the City fans though! Lee Hughes' recent arrest led to many chants from the City fans on the Ninian Park terraces!

The final chance of the half fell to Gavin Gordon. The City striker, starting his 7th consecutive match, drilled Chris Barker's low cross just over the bar meaning the two sides went in level at the break.

The first real action of the second period was West Brom's opener. Richard Langley lost the ball on the right-side of the pitch, and the ball was passed inside to Jason Koumas. He sent his trademark 20-yard pile driver towards Alexander, which found it's way into the back of the net courtesy of a deflection or six, sending the travelling Baggies supporters into delight.

I must mention the travelling support from West Brom, who were truly excellent and the best we have had at Ninian Park all season. The following was not announced, it rarely is when it's impressive, but I would guess there would approximately 2,000 from the Midlands, the biggest following since Queens Park Rangers visited Ninian Park towards the end of last season.

City began to really take the game to Brom, and were winning numerous free-kicks. Richard Langley sent one inches over the bar and Julian Gray also had a go, but the City equaliser came from a different type of set-piece.

Mark Bonner ran into the West Brom penalty area, but was brought down before he could send a shot on goal and referee, who had a good game overall, showed little hesitation in awarding the spot-kick. Earnshaw had been rather quiet during the game, but hit a perfect penalty to Hoult's right giving the 'keeper no chance. His 20th goal of the season resulted in Earnshaw celebrating a little to much, and he was booked by the referee for his antics on the Bob Bank terrace!

As the game approached it's climax, both sides looked as if they could get a winner. The crowd, woken up by City's equaliser, came to life and urged City forward. The introduction of Peter Thorne for Gordon showed City's intent on looking for three points, and the man with the magic hat made a real difference up front holding the ball-up well and creating chances.

Gray and Thorne both had chances to give City the lead, but City's closest opportunity was Richard Langley's 81st minute free-kick. The former QPR midfielder curled his shot over the wall, before the ball beat Hoult bounced off the top of the post, and landed only inches in front of the line before it was cleared by the defence.

Albion were looking dangerous on the counter though, and Gary Megson also sent on a striker in the closing stages with Danny Dichio coming on. The visitors' best chances in the closing moments came from free-kicks, both struck by Koumas. The first curled around the wall and looked goal-bound but Neil Alexander made a terrific save to his right-hand side.

Minutes later, the Welsh internationals strike flew over the wall, changing direction several times through deflections, but City's Scottish 'keeper made a miraculous reflex save to keep the scores level. It would have been harsh on either side if the game hadn't finished a draw. It was a fantastic game, one of the best I have seen at Ninian Park for years, and City put in an impressive performance against one of the favourites for promotion.

17,678 were in attendance, and I would have imagined most of the 16,000 home supporters inside Ninian Park will be back for the visit of Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Bluebird to the Bone Man of the Match - Gary Croft
The City right-back played, what might be, his best performance since arriving at Ninian Park. Croft made some impressive runs forward, and helped create chances but also looked solid at the back. Rhys Weston will be facing a real battle to get back into the side when he returns from injury. Neil Alexander was another contender for the award with a superb display in goal.

Cardiff City: Alexander, Croft, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Gray, Langley, Bonner, Robinson, Gordon, Earnshaw. Subs: Thorne, Campbell, Prior, Boland, Margetson.

West Bromwich Albion: Hoult, Haas, Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist, O'Connor, Johnson, Robinson, Koumas, Dobie, Hulse. Subs: Murphy, Sakiri, Dichio, James Chambers, Clement.

Full Time - Cardiff City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

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