Cardiff 1-0 Plymouth (Match Report)

Cardiff City won the New Year's Day clash against Plymouth Argyle after a spirited rearguard action denied the visitors chances and allowed the Bluebirds to control the game, in-form winger Joe Ledley got the goal for City.


Cardiff started the brighter but there was little by the way of action in eitehr final third. Argyle winger Lee Martin was booked for clattering former Aryle player Tony Capaldi and Martin later went narrowly wide with a run and shot from 25 yards.



The opener came on the half hour, Hasselbaink was clattered in midfield and Ledley picked up the loose ball, driving forward and releasing Capaldi on the left. The former Pilgrim's shot was only parried by Larrieu straight into the path of JOE LEDLEY who cooly slotted home.


Just seconds later, David Norris hit the inside of the Cardiff post with a great strike from the edge of the area, a corner was given so Roger Johnson must have got a crucial touch on the shot. A let off for City.


In the second half, Schmeichel had to be alert to block from Cardiff born Jermaine Easter after a bouncing ball evaded Roger Johnson.


Cardiff were playing some flowing football but were frustrated by a number of offsides from their attackers as Parry, MacLean and Rae almost went through on goal.


Jermaine Easter was also booked for a hard foul on Tony Capaldi, interestingly the two Plymouth new boys took exception to Capaldi's move to South Wales, and both let him know but he stood strong and enjoyed a decent game.


Substitute Steve MacLEan wasted a glorious chance to clinch the game fter a superb through ball from Ledley. MacLean went 1-on-1 with the keeper but his tame shot was easily blocked. The same two combined again later, but MacLean's effort from 18 yards flew just wide.



With the final kick of the match, Plymouth almost stole a point when substitute Jutkiewicz tried a bicycle kick to a bouncing ball in the area, but Kasper Schmeichel just high to charge down the on-target effort.



Cardiff did do enough to deserve the points, they rarely got out of third gear but did play some nice stuff and defended superbly. A fantastic festive period for the Bluebirds, and we have rocketed up the table.