Snapshot: If you happen to bump into a City fan who was at the game on Tuesday night, you'd swear from their summary that we had just won a massive game. The reason? City may have only secured a 1-1 draw at Ninian Park, but they did so against an ex Premiership side still brimming with quality players. They also managed to bounce back from an early Zoltan Gera goal in such an impressive way that would have had neutrals confused as to which team had just come from the top flight.
To cap it off, the equaliser was delivered via the head of Baggie old boy Riccardo Scimeca, who took great delight in his goal. What will be best remembered however will be the commitment and overall team ethic that was evident to anyone present. With every ball chased and no challenge avoided, the Bluebirds have shown early doors that like last year they aim to keep in with the big boys. And at this moment who would bet against them?
Team News: It was touch and go after the weekend trip to Barnsley, but Tuesday was a day to soon to see Darren Purse make if for undoubtedly the one game he really wanted to. The chance to face his former club in a league encounter was taken away with a calf strain, meaning that new boy Roger Johnson was given the green light sooner than he would have expected.
Cardiff: N Alexander, K Gilbert, G Loovens, R Johnson, K McNaughton, P Parry, S McPhail, R Scimeca, J Ledley, S Thompson, M Chopra. Subs: J Whitley, M Howard, W Flood, L Glombard, K Campbell
West Brom: P Zuberbuhler, S Watson, C Perry, C Davies, P Robinson, R Wallwork, N Quashie, J Greening, Z Gera, N Ellington, J Hartson. Subs: R Chaplow, M Albrechtsen, J Inamoto, D Carter, R Hoult
Chronological Report: A packed Ninian Park was vocal from the outset in connection to the returning John Hartson. With no Welsh shirt to ingratiate himself with the Cardiff contingent the banter was aimed at the Swansea born striker from the off.
His reaction? After only three minutes he managed to muscle Alexander off the ball enough to win a corner on the left. The resulting delivery from Greening came into a packed box, where after some confusion and an attempt from Ellington hitting the bar, the ball came out well for Gera to attack from close range with a header past Alexander.
Cardiff 0 - 1 West Brom (3 mins. Gera)
The Baggies continued to impress in the early exchanges, looking dangerous on the break through Ellington and company. The Bluebirds were trying to find a way through via the creativity of McPhail, though found it difficult to produce a killer ball.
That said, as the half progressed the balance of play did start to swing in our favour thanks to the character of the players not to lie down. Chopra and Parry were connecting well to break through on the right on a few occasions, while a chance was also afforded to Scimeca who unfortunately after finding space skewed his shot wide. The synopsis was lots of guts and effort from the Bluebirds, but a closed door from the Baggies who looked content to soak up the pressure.
The referee was called into action after sixteen minutes after a fifty, fifty ball for Wallwork and Ledley was adjudged to have been entered into a little too enthusiastically by the Baggie. Joe was left reeling, but was ok toresume as Wallwork was presented a yellow card from Referee Foy.
The pressure continued to build from City, though the Baggies looked to break when afforded space. It could have been two nil minutes before the half hour if not for an amazing save from Neil Alexander. Ellington had done well to beat Loovens on the left; he cued a powerful shot aimed to the top right corner, but Alexander incredibly managed to dive and reach out to tip the ball from a certain goal.
Minutes later Hartson was in the box himself looking to add to his two for the season; It was looking dangerous, but Gilbert dashed in to steal and clear before he could pull the trigger.
The steal was better value than first thought, as from there the Bluebirds broke away via Parry and Chopra. They ran the length of the park before McPhail took over with a delivery that was perfectly met in the air by Scimeca to direct into the net with a header.
Cardiff 1 - 1 West Brom (31 mins. Scimeca)
The Bluebirds tails were up on and off the pitch as City continued to impress with a willingness to chase every ball. As already stated, they showed admirable character after going behind so early to the former Premiership side who had shed little of their squad since the drop.
The chances continued. McNaughton created a dangerous free kick after being cut down in the middle of mazy run. Up stepped Chopra to try his luck - and he came close with a curling shot that had beaten Zuberbuhler, but the ball narrowly flew over the top corner.
Further chances were created by the home side, as we came close to a second before the interval. The eighteen thousand plus crowd were wowed by Joe Ledley who tried his luck with an ambitious shot from distance; and it almost paid off but for a classic save from Zuberbuhler to deny the Welsh midfielder a league opener.
West Brom were under the cosh, further hampered just before the break as Ellington was forced to leave the field; his replacement Darren Carter.
A few further half chances came, and the Baggies no doubt were happy to hear the referee blow for the interval.
Half Time: Cardiff 1-1 West Brom
The Bluebirds came out as is the interval had never occurred; full of running and commitment to every challenge, looking for a winner.
Two minutes into the half, Scimeca looked for his second of the night as the ball came into the box for him to try his luck. He aimed a volley toward the Baggies goal, but the shot was blocked to hamper his chances.
Ninian Park was buzzing as we fired forward on every opportunity - and our efforts were clearly rattling our guests as seen just before the hour as Nigel Quashie was warned for remonstrating with the referee for a decision that didn't go his way.
The ref was called into action again following a case of handbags in the box. A brief melee broke out as a chance fell to Chopra close in on Zuberbuhler. Chops went for a scrambled ball, connecting with the keeper, which in turn angered Chris Perry enough for him to raise his hands on our striker. In stepped Foy to calm matters down and then book the pair before resuming the game.
The battle, heart and drive were there, but we couldn't find that vital ingredient to get the win. That said, it was amazing to watch as City offered value for money and then some on the ticket price. City fans present could see their team play exciting football and a produce a display full of effort that we hope will filter through enough to bring a similar number on Saturday.
Although the Baggies ended the game on the front foot, they never really looked too dangerous in attack. Substitutions were made on both sides - Thompson earning a standing ovation for his efforts as he left the park for former Baggie Kevin Campbell; and then Campbell was also given a warm reception by both seta of fans.
The draw looked as if it was nailed on, but it came close to more as on ninety minutes Joe Ledley made a great run on the left before delivering a great ball to Chopra. It may have been fatigue or the thought of someone closing in, but Michael shot wide when he had more time. The miss forgivable after a game so full of pace and commitment from all concerned.
The final whistle came after three minutes; and City fans left the ground knowing that they had seen the start of something special. Hopes will be raised, and deservedly so. The Bluebirds have recorded their most impressive draw in recent history.
Full time: Cardiff 1 -1 West Brom
Cardiff: Alexander, Gilbert, Loovens, Johnson, McNaughton, Parry (Flood 85), McPhail, Scimeca, Ledley, Thompson (Campbell 73), Chopra. Subs Not Used: Whitley, Howard, Glombard. Booked: Chopra. Goals: Scimeca 33.
West Brom: Zuberbuhler, Watson, Perry, Curtis Davies, Robinson, Wallwork (Inamoto 81), Quashie, Greening (Chaplow 63), Gera, Ellington (Carter 43), Hartson. Subs Not Used: Albrechtsen, Hoult. Booked: Wallwork, Gera, Perry. Goals: Gera 4.
Att: 18,506. Ref: C Foy
