City Hang On For Point on Pilgrimage

Goalscorer
By Chris O'Brien
April 6 2005

The Bluebirds withstood mammoth second-half pressure to hang on for a 1-1 draw against rivals Plymouth Argyle. Over 18,000 stirred up a superb atmosphere at Home Park, watching Richard Langley give the visitors a surprise lead before Hasney Aljofree restored parity for the Devon outfit.

Cardiff City return to South Wales thankful that they held on for a point at Home Park, despite having the lead at the half-time interval. The Bluebirds withstood mountains of pressure from Plymouth Argyle in the closing stages of a heated affair in Devon to secure another point as the struggle against relegation continues.

On a beautiful April day, over 1,500 Bluebirds made the tip south in a game where passions always run high and the two teams consider each other local rivals with bigger enemies of both camps sitting in the lower regions of the Football League. City fans who have made the journey to Home Park in the past will know that the Plymouth fans create a great atmosphere and banter between the two sets of supporters always add to the flavour.

A crowd in excess of 18,000 made tremendous noise with Home Park evidence of how an old ground can be developed to a high standard without the need of ridiculous retail parks of spaceship structures. An empty green seat could not be seen amongst the three new stands, whilst the terrace and Grandstand that stands above it were also packed as a roaring atmosphere rung around the ground. This game was vital for both teams.

Cardiff played the better football in the first-half and were ahead on 22 minutes. Richard Langley, in his new birth in the centre of midfield, struck a superb left-footed effort from outside of the penalty area to send the visiting fans wide. Their elation could have turned to ecstasy if Cameron Jerome had not wasted a great opportunity to double the advantage before the break, but he squandered a chance from close-range.

It was a different game in the second-half as Argyle bossed proceedings. Plymouth bombarded the City backline with attack after attack before perseverance finally paid off 15 minutes into the second period. Hasney Aljofree volleyed past a helpless Neil Alexander from a corner, and the hosts now looked favourites to take the points. However, Greens boss Bobby Williamson was left frustrated as his side missed chance after chance and the Bluebirds defence dealt with countless balls pumped into the penalty area.

Lennie Lawrence would have travelled to Devon hoping his team could secure victory. However, the City boss will realise his team were lucky to get a point and could have been on the wrong end of a West Country hammering had the Pilgrims been on top form in front of goal. Next up for the Bluebirds is a visit to the Potteries for another passionate affair. Stoke lost at home to Rotherham today, so City will travel to the Britannia Stadium confident of victory.

Full Time - Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Cardiff City
Attendance - 18,045

Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Connolly, Coughlan, Aljofree, Dodd, Norris, Wotton, Buzsaky (Blackstock 73), Capaldi, Evans, Chadwick (Taylor 86).

Cardiff City: Alexander, Weston (Vidmar 18), Gabbidon, Collins, Barker, Ardley, Ledley, Langley, McAnuff, Thorne (Lee 82), Jerome (Boulding 72).