Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Cardiff City - Match Report

Great Strike
By Chris O'Brien
August 9 2004

Cardiff City kicked-off their Football League Championship campaign with a 2-2 draw at Crewe Alexandra. Goals from John Robinson and Alan Lee turned around an early deficit, but defensive frailties saw the Railwaymen equalise in the closing stages to earn a point at Gresty Road.

Defensive Lapses Cost Points Once Again
 

Cardiff City kicked-off their campaign in the newly-named Football League Championship with a draw – just how last season started and finished off.

Despite coming behind from a 1-0 deficit to take the lead, the Bluebirds had to settle for a point following a 2-2 scoreline at Gresty Road. Strikes from John Robinson and Alan Lee were sandwiched between a Dean Ashton penalty and a Mike Higdon goal at either end of the entertaining encounter.

Lennie Lawrence was relieved to have Welsh international centre-half Daniel Gabbidon available, but Peter Thorne and Willie Boland both missed out through injuries. Debuts were handed to Robert Page and Lee Bullock, whilst Alan Lee got a chance to impress alongside Rob Earnshaw.

With temperatures soaring in the Cheshire sunshine, 1,500 travelling City fans were in good voice. However, the Bluebirds faithful were silenced only moments into the game as the hosts were rightly awarded a penalty-kick. Tony Vidmar decided to try his hand at goalkeeping as he blocked a goal bound Dean Ashton effort.

Confusion followed. The referee looked set to ignore the handball, but with his linesman flagging, the inevitable penalty was awarded. Vidmar would surely be sent off for the offence, but he was not even spoken to and can count himself very lucky he is not facing a suspension. Ashton, a threat throughout the game, stepped up and slotted the ball low, hard and to Margetson’s right. The City ‘keeper went the wrong way in Neil Alexander fashion.

The early setback and the woeful pre-season campaign left City with little confidence and Alexandra were the better side for most of the opening period. Margetson made a handful of fine stops as Dario Gradi’s spirited side looked to double their advantage. Dean Ashton continued to course problems, and he embarrassed City’s Page on several occasions with the veteran unable to handle the pace of the Crewe forward.

As the game went on City gradually started to come into it and enjoy more possession. However, chances were few and far between with Bullock’s glancing header that flew over the bar from a Graham Kavanagh free-kick one of the closest of note. The City skipper has an opportunity himself, testing former Manchester United ‘keeper Ben Williams from distance.

Just as it looked as if the Bluebirds would be behind at the break, John Robinson popped up with a rare goal to restore parity and score at the perfect time for the visitors. Kavanagh miscued a shot across the Crewe penalty-area, and a defensive error from Briggs saw the ball arrive at Robinson’s feet who poked it home from six yards to send the sides in level at the interval.
You wouldn’t imagine Lennie Lawrence’s half-time team talks are much to write home about, but his side played with new found morale in the second-half and were usually the better team. Despite a brief good start from Crewe, Cardiff soon settled and looked the more likely winners.

Pressure mounted as Kavanagh, Vidmar and Bullock had opportunities and Alan Lee was causing real problems for the Crewe backline with his battering ram approach. His fantastic goal on the hour capped off what was probably his best performance in the blue jersey, and really helped stake the Irishman’s claim for a regular spot in the starting XI.

Richard Langley broke from the midfield and found Lee with a neat pass. The Republic of Ireland international took one touch and then unleashed an unstoppable shot at the Crewe goal, with the power of the drive giving Williams no chance. It was a great strike and should give Lee the morale boost he needs after hardly setting South Wales alight last term.

Shortly after the strike City had a penalty claim turned down by referee Michael Thorpe. Robert Earnshaw, who had a quiet game, charged into the Railwaymen penalty-area only to be pulled back by Crewe defender Foster. However, City’s protests led to nothing but a yellow card for Tony Vidmar, the only card shown by a referee who is usually not shy to get out his book.

Crewe were struggling to create chances, and Margetson was rarely troubled although he made a few impressive saves. As the game rumbled on, Lawrence made changes with Andy Campbell, James Collins and Gary Croft replacing Robert Earnshaw, John Robinson and Rhys Weston respectively. However, the new 5-man defence looked shaky and disorganised as players bickered amongst themselves.

The bitter blow came five minutes from time with woeful defending to blame for Crewe’s late equaliser. A gentle cross could not be cleared and the dangerous Ashton was allowed to rise up unmarked and unchallenged to head the ball back across goal. The six-yard box was full of blue jerseys, but none of them cleared the ball and it was Michael Higdon who got the next touch with his effort turning the ball past Margetson.

On the balance of play, perhaps the draw was the fair result with Crewe the better side throughout the first-half. However, the Railwaymen appeared dead and buried after Lee’s wonderful goal and the Bluebirds can only really blame themselves for not getting the Football League Championship campaign off to a winning start.

Next up for City is a home clash against Coventry City on Tuesday evening, with a 7.45pm kick-off at Ninian Park. Peter Reid’s Sky Blues outclassed Sunderland with a 2-0 win and the Midlands club will be looking to mount at least a play-off charge this term. Cardiff will need to improve, particularly in defence, with supporters already getting on the back of manager Lawrence.
 

Full Time – Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Cardiff City
Attendance – 7,339

Crewe Alexandra: Williams, Briggs, Billy Jones, Walker, Foster, Lunt, Sorvel, Cochrane (Higdon 79), Vaughan, Ashton, Rivers (Steve Jones 69).
Substitutes Not Used: Ince, Tonkin, Bell.

Cardiff City: Margetson, Weston (Croft 87), Gabbidon, Page, Vidmar, Kavanagh, Langley, Robinson (Collins 81), Bullock, Earnshaw (Campbell 74), Lee. Subs Not Used: Parry, Warner.

Referee: Michael Thorpe