Season Ends With Victory

By Chris O'Brien
May 10 2005

The poor 2004/2005 season ended just as it started - with three points. Jobi McAnuff's first-half strike capped a fine performance from the Bluebirds.

Cardiff City’s impressive end-of-season form continued with a 1-0 victory at Ninian Park over Queens Park Rangers. With a torrid summer ahead, some City stars surely made their final appearances for the club as the Bluebirds rose to a pleasing 16th after almost an entire campaign scrapping against the bottom three.

Having avoided relegation at Gillingham last Saturday, City took a more cautious approach to the game. Slick passing and movement were on show, with reduced ticket prices boosting the gate to over 15,000. The club must now pressure us into purchasing and renewing season tickets!

This game was dead rubber and, despite the bumper crown, Ninian Park was rather subdued even with a notable away following from West London. City had lost 1-0 at Loftus Road earlier in the campaign, though the performance deserved a thrashing, whilst Rangers were making their first visit to the Principality since the play-off defeat of 2003.

With Joe Ledley unavailable, Lennie Lawrence only had one real decision to make with regard to team selection. Darren Williams was preferred to Tony Vidmar at the back, though the Australian was introduced late-on as a substitute to wave goodbye to supporters in what was his final game for the club before moving to NAC Breda.

City attacked the Canton Stand for the first 45 minutes, and it was difficult to tell which side had challenged for the top 6 throughout the opening period. Wave after wave of Bluebirds pressure threatened Rossi in the R’s goal before Jobi McAnuff finally broke the deadlock on 27 minutes with a candidate for goal of the season.

Williams found Cameron Jerome, improving every game he plays, down the right flank. The raw teenage sensation powered down the wing, using his pace to fend off two tackles before he steered a cross into the path of McAnuff, having floated over the head of observant Peter Thorne. A long-range drive from McAnuff, linked with a move to the Premiership, gave Cardiff a credible advantage.

QPR fought back after the re-start having felt the wrath of Ian Holloway during the half-time team talks. Jamie Cureton should have equalised with an effort minutes into the second-half, but there was to be no way back for the visitors who failed to create many opportunities and looked rather lacklustre at times with little to play for.

This was a great way to end the season for City. They took advantage of the extra space QPR gave them, and have ended the season on a high note. On and off the pitch it has been a season to forget, and this only looks like the beginning of the CCAFC woe, but for now at least, Cardiff fans have a smile on their faces.

Full Time – Cardiff City 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
Attendance – 15,722