Colchester 3-1 Cardiff (report)

Cardiff made the trip to Layer Road yesterday for a tough game against newly-promoted Colchester United. Cardiff were expected to win but Colchester have a good team and had won 5 successive times at home.

Kevin Campbell started his first league goal for Cardiff but it was Colchester who started the brighter with a free-kick and Cureton shot both missing the target early on. Chopra had a decent chance just after the half hour when Paul Parry`s cross made it to Chopra 8 yards out but he could only steer it wide. Paul Parry saw a free-kick saved by Davison in the U`s goal just before half time but after an even first half the scores remained level.

HT: Colchester United 0-0 Cardiff City

The second half began far more frantically as Kem Izzet hit a long shot and Cardiff missed a great chance to take the lead. Kevin Campbell rattled the crossbar from inside the area with the keeper beaten but Campbell was left to rue the miss as Colchester immediately went and took the lead. Cardiff repeatedly failed to clear and Halford`s cross was turned back by Jonnie Jackson for former Swansea winger Kevin McLeod to slot home.

Cardiff were pushing but not really threatening although they bagged an opportune equaliser fifteen minutes later. Substitute Willo Flood burst past the left back and squared, there looked little danger but Pat Baldwin missed his clearance and the ball fell kindly for in-form MICHAEL CHOPRA to smash home. The goal inspired Cardiff and they forced a period of pressure but the Colchester defence stood strong and cleared several Cardiff crosses.

As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, Colchester took the lead. City`s midfield went AWOL after Purse`s clearance and Kem Izzet was under no pressure as he played the ball in for teenage striker Jamie Guy to effectively outmuscle Purse and slip the ball past Alexander. Purse should have cleared but was off-balance as Guy moved in on goal and eventually tumbled and the substitute made no mistake.

In the final minute, Stephen McPhail was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on on-loan striker Ritchie Jones. The pair were tussling in the City area but there was very little in the challenge and Alexander in particular was incensed. Jamie Cureton coolly slotted the penalty to send the tiny ground away delighted and enforce Layer Road`s reputation as a fortress - 6 consecutive wins there for the U`s.

FT: Colchester United 3-1 Cardiff City

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