Blackpool 3 Cardiff City 2
In sizzling sunshine and a temperature on the Wembley pitch of over 100F, Cardiff City failed in their brave campaign to reach the financial Shangri La more generally known as the Premier League. An open and exciting game was decided by 5 goals all scored in a first half dominated by Blackpool. Although Cardiff were superior in the second half, they were unable to capitalise, and Blackpool were arguably deserving winners.
The tension among the supporters before kick-off was as pleasantly unbearable as the heat inside the stadium. The authorities had sensibly decided to avoid inflaming passions further by the playing of national anthems. One jarring note was the appearance of so many empty “hospitality” seats at a game where tickets had been so hard to obtain for genuine supporters of both teams.
City manager Dave Jones selected the same team as he had for the previous play-off games, in his usual 4-4-2 formation, to face Ian Holloway’s on-form Blackpool. But Cardiff’s usual intelligent passing game was undermined early on by a poor Wembley pitch. The turf looked like it had been ploughed for planting turnips by a besmocked yokel after sinking too much scrumpy. Few players on either side were looking steady on their feet, and the ball was visibly bobbling when played on the deck. However, a smart Cardiff move in the 3rd minute saw a Whittingham cross turned against the Blackpool near post by Chopra.
Another flowing move from Cardiff saw them go ahead in the 8th minute, Chopra finishing superbly with a low shot into the corner from the edge of the penalty area.
However within 5 minutes Charlie Adam had equalised with a fabulous direct free kick from 25 yards out, after McPhail had unluckily had the ball kicked against his arm from close range.
Another major blow to Cardiff came when their admirable striker Jay Bothroyd, arguably their best player over the entire season, had to be substituted after just 15 minutes because of injury. He was replaced by Kelvin Etuhu, a makeshift striker on loan from Manchester City, but Bothroyd’s powerful presence as an outlet for the team up front was to be badly missed.
Blackpool were unsurprisingly heartened by these developments and went on the attack for a period, dominating possession and stretching a typically fragile looking Cardiff defence. Half way through the first half the Tangerines seemed to be totally in control of the game, launching successive waves of attack, with Cardiff unable to retain possession against more energetic opponents. While it was admittedly a difficult pitch for the Bluebirds’ passing football, Blackpool seemed to be having fewer problems in passing to feet.
The early loss of the talismanic Bothroyd was proving a major blow to Cardiff’s system. The ball was repeatedly played forward by City only to be immediately lost by Etuhu, where Bothroyd would have retained possession and brought his team into play.
Against the run of play a rare flowing move from Cardiff in the 37th minute saw home town hero Joe Ledley again put Cardiff in front, finishing at a sharp angle from 15 yards. Cardiff were fortunate to be ahead, and now needed to try to slow the game down until the half-time interval. However, a sharp shot from outside the penalty area by Blackpool’s Taylor-Fletcher struck the post. Then the same player equalised from close range after a 40th minute corner had caused a scramble in the Cardiff penalty area. Again Cardiff had proved unable to defend a lead in a half that was becoming increasingly open.
Just on 45 minutes a chaotic scramble in Cardiff’s area broke for Ormerod to fire home from 10 yards, putting Blackpool ahead for the first time. The question now was could a Cardiff without Bothroyd respond to going behind. An immediate reply from Darcy Blake sent City fans into a frenzy, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside, and that was the end of a frantic but entertaining first half with Blackpool deservedly leading 3-2.
Dave Jones’s half-time talk must have had some effect, as Cardiff started the second half on the attack. Blackpool committed several fouls in an attempt to stop City’s momentum, and their goalscorer Taylor-Fletcher was substituted because of injury after 52 minutes.
On 56 minutes, impressive City striker Chopra shot superbly from 20 yards out, and rattled the Blackpool crossbar. Winger Chris Burke, who had failed to get into this game after only recently returning from injury, was replaced by last season’s top scorer Ross McCormack. Ledley then went very close with a header from a Whittingham corner. However Blackpool were still dangerous on the break, and nearly scored themselves after 61 minutes when Southern shot just over the bar.
Cardiff changed to an attacking 4-3-3 formation, pushing McCormack forward to join Chopra and Etuhu, and another fine move saw the latter shoot, only for Jilkes to save well for Blackpool. Cardiff were arguably shading a more even second half, but were being given little protection by the referee from Blackpool’s increasingly robust physical challenges. Dependable Cardiff defender McNaughton was injured after one such challenge, and was substituted by Gerrard. Playmaker McPhail similarly tried to soldier on bravely after another Blackpool foul, but was clearly hampered by his injury. Then Craney blatantly blocked Chopra on the edge of the Blackpool area on 70 minutes, but no free kick was awarded.
A teasing Kennedy cross was nearly dropped into his own net by Blackpool keeper Jilkes after 75 minutes, and McCormack went very close just a minute later. Cardiff were now playing better passing football, although Etuhu’s lethargic performance, nearly every ball played to him being immediately lost, only served to stress the significance of Bothroyd’s absence. A great run and shot from Blake was saved by Jilkes on 80 minutes as Cardiff gambled on all-out attack and were increasingly dominant. Defender Gerrard was pushed up into the City attack as their play became necessarily more direct. However they could not pose Blackpool any further serious defensive problems, and the Tangerines held out in the last 10 minutes fairly comfortably. The final whistle saw Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, his players and their supporters celebrate exuberantly while Cardiff sank to the Wembley turnip field in despair, so near and yet so far from glory and the financial stratosphere.
By Peter Davies
