Cardiff City 0 - 1 T.N.S.

Report from Mark Gabb

TNS progressed through to the final of the FAW Premier Cup after beating a very poor Cardiff City side at Ninian Park 1-0, from a Mike Wilde goal.

Cardiff fielded a stronger side than expected with Howard in goal, a back four of Gilbert, Middleton, Blake and Smith, a midfield of Gunter, Flood, who took the captains armband, Walton and McDonald, and a front two of Byrne and Redan.

In the early stages of the game, Cardiff couldn't get into their stride, only testing Doherty in the TNS goal on a couple of occasions.

To be honest, the first half was a poor showing for both Cardiff and TNS, with neither side getting a strong foothold in the game.

TNS had the first chance of the game with their number 7 shooting wildly over. This was the only action in a very dull opening 20 minutes. Both sides struggled to create anything in front of goal with Howard and Doherty not having a save to make.

One of a few attempts on goal from Cardiff in the first half came after neat interplay between Gilbert and Gunter allowed the former to cross, which a TNS defender deflected into the path of Byrne who could only scoop over from 10 yards.

Soon after, Blake had to scramble clear, and minutes later, the TNS number 6 shot high and wide from a good 40 yards.

As half time approached, the TNS number 2 came close with a low shot from the edge of the area but was denied by a deflection off a Cardiff defender. At the other end Redan brought a routine save out of Doherty. Half time.

Surely the second half would be better? Not really.

TNS had the first chance a few minutes in. A well taken corner had Howard reaching for thin air but a TNS head could only nod wide.

Soon after, Gunter exchanged passes well with Redan, but an excellent tackle from a TNS defender prevented Gunter from progressing through and getting a shot in.

Then TNS struck. A cross from the left was not dealt with at all by Howard, and Wilde gleefully slotted the ball into an empty net as the ball came down with Howard well out of position. A very poor goal to concede.

Cardiff nearly struck straight back at TNS with a well struck overhead kick from Darcy Blake, but Doherty was more than equal to it.

Soon after TNS, had a very good shout for a penalty after a rash tackle from a Cardiff defender, but the referee waved strong appeals away.

Ferretti was subsequently brought on for Redan, but made little difference over the course of the last half hour. His only contribution was to swing a mishit cross that was headed down by Byrne, only for Gunter to fire straight at the keeper.

Bassett was brought on for McDonald late on, but made little difference, as TNS saw the closing stages out comfortably with a yellow card for each side being the only meaningful action, Blake for Cardiff after a rash challenge, and a yellow for a TNS player following timewasting.

It was a truly poor performance overall with some players lacking any motivation of getting Cardiff through to the final of the competition. None of the players are likely to have played their way into the starting XI against Birmingham on Sunday.

Player Ratings

Mark Howard - kicking and handling very poor. Probably won't see him in a Cardiff shirt again any time soon - 5

Kerrea Gilbert - showed his quality and pace in flashes, certainly hard to make an impression at right back in such a poor side - 6

Matt Smith - not a great deal to do, but distribution poor at times. - 6

Bradley Middleton - looked shaky at times, but overall pretty steady at the back - 6

Darcy Blake - looked solid, and worked hard at centre back. Was unlucky with a well struck overhead kick. - 6

Chris Gunter - worked hard and nearly got a goal for his efforts - 7

Curtis McDonald - TNS right back handled him well, McDonald couldn't create much - 6

Willo Flood (Captain) - huffed and puffed to no avail. - 6

Simon Walton - didn't look bothered at all. TNS midfield had much the better of him. Scimeca won't be worried about his place come Sunday. - 5

Iwan Redan - TNS defence marshalled him well. One effort on goal comfortably saved by Doherty his only contribution side - 5

Jason Byrne - worked hard but didn't impress at all. - 5

Subs

Andrea Ferretti - showed a couple of neat touches when he came on for Redan, but made no meaningful contribution - 6

Kyle Bassett - didn't have enough time to impress.

Man of the Match - Chris Gunter - the only player who really came away with any credit on a poor night for Cardiff.


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