Cardiff City 2-1 Bristol City

Visitors to Ninian Park today were treated to one of the most thoroughly entertaining games of football for some time as Cardiff City battled to a 2-1 win over local rivals Bristol City in the Severnside derby.


A lively opening saw both sides competing hard in what was an entertaining and evenly matched contest. However, the game changed moments before half time when a Whittingham cross was brilliantly met by ROGER JOHNSON for a headed lead for the Bluebirds.


With the wind now with them, City began to take control and forced a number of half chances though Bristol City were still fighting hard and testing the Cardiff defence at every opportunity.


Loovens and Johnson were immense but Bristol City continues to cause problems and midway through the second half - carnage erupted at Ninian Park:


Firstly, Bristol city equalised in a similar fashion to City's goal. McAllister crossed for the giant Adebola to head home making it 1-1. Before the game recovered composure, Bristol scored again - another header from substitute Steve Brooker but as the Wurzels and manager Gary Johnson went wild - the assistant had his flag high in the air and the effort was disallowed for offside.


The madness continued and within moments, Cardiff City regained their lead. Capaldi and McPhail linked up on the left and the captain was clearly caught in the area - penalty! PETER WHITTINGHAM saw his initial effort saved but gladly pounced on the rebound to finish in his final act of the game.


That wasn't all, Bristol City's manager Gary Johnson was banished to the stands after remonstrating with the fourth official and there appeared to be some disturbance in the away section as stewards and police alike piled in there 0- so close to the pitch that Ledley was impeded in taking several corners.


Substitute Ramsey added some flair and quality in the frantic last few minutes but the Cardiff City defence was not to be breached again and the Bluebirds recorded a morale-boosting win over our friends from over the bridge.


A simply fantastic game, full of entertainment and determination if not quality. it was a little too close for my (biased) liking - but Cardiff did just about enough to deserve the win.