Cardiff 1-0 Leyton Orient (report)

Cardiff City saw off their lower league opposition after a late goal from ex Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham.


It took a 90th minute winner, but Leyton Orient were heavily indebted to their goalkeeper Stuart Nelson who kept them in the game with a string of fine saves.


Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink both started the game for Cardiff, who were looking to their experienced strikers to end their lack of goals. However, Fowler hit the woodwork and saw Nelson save another couple while Hasselbaink also found Nelson in the way on a number of occasions.


Whittingham, Parry, JFH and Fowler all impressed, and looked lively. The two strikers linked well and looked as if they had played together many times - encouraging signs, and on another day - both would have got on the scoresheet.


Orient looked a tidy side, but they rarely threatened and were hanging on for a draw after midfielder Sean Thornton was dismissed midway through the second half for two bookable offences.


The goal came in the final minutes, a Parry cross found Hasselbaink whose goalbound header from 8 yeards looked goalbound but for an astounding flying save from Nelson. While most were still admiring the agility, the corner was taken to WHITTINGHAM who arrowed a shot across goal and into the far corner.


A tough game, again City found it hard to score but generally played well. Encouraging debuts from the new boys up front ho worked hard and looked sharp. Dave Jones will have been glad not to have gone to extra time and we now go into the third round draw.

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