Cardiff City In Iron-Door Draw

Cardiff City badly needed a result against Scunthorpe United and recalled Roger Johnson and Trevor Sinclair into the starting XI. Stephen McPhail was given harsh treatment by sections of the crowd before the game, even his first touch was booed by some.


Kasper Schmichael was making his first start after joining on loan from Manchester City (who were thumped 6-0 by Chelsea!). The keeper was alert to ensure a rising shot missed the target and calmly collected several crosses. In fact, it was Schmichael who registered City's first attempt on goal (!) with a huge clearancefinding its way to Joe Murphy after one bounce.


It took till the 21st minute for the next Cardiff chance, a scuffed 30 yarder from Rae never troubling anyone. Joe Ledley was coming more and more into the game, some neat passes culminating in Hasselbaink having a good chance deflected over. Ledley also had a toe-poke effort saved as he surged into the area.


Cardiff ended the first half much the stronger and went in 1-0 up courtest od a Stephen McPhail, yes that right - a McPhail first goal, who bundled home from close range after good work down the right by JFH.




Hayes headed over a decent chance for Scunthorpe and they looked dangerous on the break. However, it was against the run of play when they equalised. Trevor Sinclair, just dropped to right-back, and Paul Parry were both close to Hurst but neither stopped the cross and Goodwin's first touch took him wide of goal but he was able to compose himslef and rifle home across Kasper Schmichael - a poor goal to concede yet again.



Scunthorpe's substitute keeper saved superbly after Ledley was picked out at the far post by a great Parry cross, and Roger Johnson headed a corner over while McPhail and Parry both had long-range efforts saved.


Cardiff enjoyed the majority of possession, but couldn't find the killer instinct. Steve Thompson added determination and drive up-front, seeing a headeer cleared off the line by the impressive Kelly Youga.


A succession of long ball were swept up by the big back-line, towering over Hasselbaink and Fowler and protected from Steve Thompson by some dubious refereeing.


It was not to be and Cardiff were poor again, booed off at the close of the game and in truth, Scunthorpe probably deserved a point. Devoid of attacking intent and ideas themselves, they were organised and not guilty of suce wasteful play as the home side.


FT: Cardiff City 1-1 Scunthorpe United

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