Snapshot: Cardiff City recorded their highest league finish since the 2003 Championship return, ending the 2007/08 season with an impressive win over Barnsley at Ninian Park, netting three goals in a one sided game to get the party started for Wembley with aplomb.

The first half had seen limited chances for either side, with Cardiff showing better going forward than their guests without being able to muster the all important opener.

That changed however minutes before the break as Ledley set-up the returning Paul Parry to send us in a goal to the good.

The second half began with similar success as McNaughton claimed his first league goal of the campaign with one for the goalkeeper bloopers reel, before the win was assured as Joe Ledley tapped in the third following Hasselbaink's deflected drive. Party on Wembley.

Team News: Paul Parry made a welcome return to the fold following his disappointment of missing out on the Wembley semi-final and the league games that had followed. Also reinstated was Roger Johnson after being rested at Burnley.

Cardiff: Enckelman, McNaughton, Capaldi, Rae, Loovens, Whittingham, McPhail, Parry, Johnson, Ledley, Hasselbaink. Subs: Oakes, Purse, Sinclair, Thompson, Ramsey.

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Nyatanga, Kozluk, Ferenczi, Souza, Butterfield, Campbell-Ryce, Macken, Van Homoet, Leon.

Chronological Report: The match opened with a bizarre handball in midfield from Barnsley's Souza - the defender smacking the ball in midair to leave no other option than a yellow card.

Cardiff were the first to test inside the six yard box, as a long throw found Parry on the right who in turn dinked the ball in to McNaughton. Kevin then cleverly set the ball to Hasselbaink, who shot low and hard towards the bottom right corner, only for Steele to save with his legs for a corner.

The remaining minutes of the opening ten were largely uneventful, though Cardiff showed more going forward than our guests.

Barnsley were looking to muscle themselves into matters on the counter, but after thirteen minutes a surge, shrug and a rocket of a shot from Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink left his foot and looked as if the top right corner of the net would explode - well, it would have if it hadn't have been three yards too high.

Chances continued for Cardiff inside the opening twenty minutes, as first Gavin Rae tricked himself into the area, then aim to walk the ball through the Tykes defence and into the net, denied by Steele.

Following a brief respite as Loovens received attention following a fall, the half continued with a few dodgy moments as passes were misdirected, leaving 'City players to ask each other questions.But that was also countered with some other moments of quality, directed through the likes of Ledley and McPhail hoping to unlock the Tykes defences.

The majority of play inside the first thirty minutes remained inside the first thirty minutes were inside the Barnsley half, although we received a prompt reminder of the Tykes capabilities after twenty nine minutes as Butterfield shot low and hard to the left of Enckelman, forcing the keeper to get down quickly to hold.

Cardiff still looked stronger in attack, and three minutes later came massively close to finding the opened as Whittingham cannoned a shot off the crossbar. Three minutes later it was the turn of the returning Paul Parry who made Steele work well to deny from an impressive shot.

Aside from another Butterfield rocket, Barnsley couldn't muster much to work the Bluebirds back line.

And then, just before half time the first half endeavour finally came to some reward. The move began in the City half, with Jimmy picking up the ball, running over the line and setting Loovens free with a rare entry into the opposition half. Glenn then intelligently put the ball through to Ledley towards the edge of the box, who in turn renewed his acquaintance with Paul Parry by placing the ball at his feet. Of course Paul was clinical in his finish, waiting for Steele to commit before coolly side footing the ball low to the right corner for a deserved opening goal.

GOAL: CARDIFF 1 - 0 BARNSLEY. Parry. 42 mins

The goal was just the tonic we were looking for going into the break, taking off some pressure and rewarding what was a mainly one sided opening forty five.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF 1 - 0 BARNSLEY

While the last gasp first half goal had done much to ease any nerves, what happened inside the first five minutes of the second half certainly took the pressure off.

Cardiff were looking solid going forward, with some clever play to hold the ball near the bottom right corner flag. Whittingham tricked his marker to a cheer, giving the ball to McNaughton, who deep on the right fired what looked like a cross.

The high ball looped over and seemingly into Steele's hands, though the on-loan Baggies keeper spilled the ball behind into the goalmouth. Last gasp defending couldn't prevent the goal, while Ledley making sure couldn't take Super Kev's goal away from him.

GOAL: CARDIFF 2 - 0 BARNSLEY. McNaughton

Barnsley's resolve was sorely dealt a blow by the early second goal, and a Diego Leon shot aside couldn't find any way into testing Enckelman.

Cardiff in the comfort zone could afford to make changes to give some match time - doing so for Darren Purse after sixty two minutes as Glenn Loovens made way.

Further chances came for Cardiff, but after sixty nine minutes matters were wrapped up thanks to Joe Ledley from the left of the area opportunistically guiding the ball into the net after a well worked move had allowed Hasselbaink to fire a deflected shot.

GOAL: CARDIFF 3 - 0 BARNSLEY. Ledley

The match all but over, we went on to watch an exhibition of Cardiff confidence, albeit without a greedy fourth goal coming our way.

Ninian Park welcomed a party atmosphere as the home supporters could enjoy the final minutes of what had been a one sided contest.

Steve Thompson also made an appearance in the latter stages, making a good run and crossing to Ramsey on the left of the area - Rambo crashing a shot off the post to deny an emphatic fourth.

Four minutes were added on, but as expected full party mode kicked in at the final whistle as we now shift full attention to Wembley. Bang on.

FULL TIME: CARDIFF 3 - 0 BARNSLEY