'Croeso I Cymru’ was the signpost as I entered Wales, which means – if my very limited knowledge of the Welsh language is correct – ‘Welcome to Wales’. I knew that the welcome that the Notts fans would receive at Ninian Park probably wouldn’t quite be as polite as that, from listening to other peoples’ past experiences. In truth it wasn’t as bad as I first imagined.
The force 9 gale that was ripping through the stand left me hoping this would be something of an exciting game so I could keep warm.
After travelling down through what, at times, was torrential rain we reached Ninian Park with some apprehension as to whether to match would go ahead or not. Thankfully the Cardiff ground staff were prepared and had laid down covers on the pitch, which kept the rain off.
As the team news was given out on the tannoy before kick off it was clear that Darren Caskey had not been passed fit to play, despite travelling down with the squad yesterday. This meant that Ian Richardson was pushed into midfield so Nick Fenton could come back to centre back after his suspension. All the fit players at the club were in Cardiff – that’s all 16 of them!
|
The home side had the better of the first half chances, which needed Notts keeper Steve Mildenhall to be on his toes to make a string of brilliant saves.
Kevin Nicholson blocked an early effort from Graham Kavanagh after Robert Earnshaw had put the ball through to him on the edge of the area.
Cardiff had two other notable chances before half time; the Notts goalkeeper comfortably saved both.
Notts were throwing bodies in the way of everything that was hurled at them. Such commitment has been something Notts have lacked
|
Even though Notts were without Darren Caskey and Ian Baraclough, the main playmakers, they still carved out opportunities with some good football.
HALF TIME: 0-0
Notts started the second half brightly, as they have done in recent weeks, and Ian Richardson forced home keeper Neil Alexander to tip his volley over the bar for a Notts corner.
Steve Mildenhall saved the Magpies again on 52 minutes when he saved an Earnshaw shot from 6 yards with his knees, forcing a corner kick.
After 60 minutes, Notts got a penalty. Scott Young fouled Paul Heffernan in the Cardiff penalty area and Mark ‘Super Cool’ Stallard was on hand to score the penalty, in front of what must have been an intimidating set of Cardiff fans.
Stallard missed another chance on 78 minutes. He was one-on-one with the Cardiff keeper, but shot wide when I would have had
|
Just two minutes later, that miss was completely forgotten as Super Stall made amends by firing a shot into the goal for his 20th goal of the campaign.
The Notts travelling faithful of around 200 went wild… while the Cardiff fans left Ninian Park in their droves, some even apparently tried to get on to the pitch to vent their anger at the Bluebird’s Boss Lennie Lawrence. Doesn’t it fill you with so much joy went you witness home fans leaving when their "brilliant" team is about to lose – it certain does me! The advantage of having home fans behind both goals certainly loses its effect when half of them leave!
Notts hung on to their 2-0 lead for the remaining minutes due to some woeful shooting from the City players and determined defending from the Notts ranks.
This week Notts were even confident enough not to try and keep the ball in the corners while the clock wound down and kept on to Cardiff right until the final whistle.
Every player was fantastic today, no one had a bad game, and they showed just what they are now capable of – even with all the problems the team has at the moment.
FULL TIME: 0-2
|
Notts were only the third team to win at Ninian Park this season – which I think is a statistic to be proud of!