This game verged on boredom for long periods with very few chances of any note but City's attitude and battling qualities were spot on.
No team are going to make it easy. They all regard us as their biggest challenge of their season. We all want to see Cardiff win by showing their undoubted extra quality and class but it won't always be possible so it was pleasing to see we showed extra "balls" to win today, a quality that was missing last week. The most pleasing aspect will be City's first clean sheet of the season, undoutedly deserved. Swindon were totally snuffed, Neil Alexander didn't have to make a single save in the enitre 90 minutes, a tribute to City's defensive effort. OK, it wasn't pretty but the result was everything and City now stand in 3rd place in the early table.
The Bluebirds travelled in good heart and big numbers on the journey of just over an hour meaning not as many coaches as usual. Plenty went by train, many by car and a few by limo. By 1:30pm, many of the local pubs were taken over by City fans, most of whom preferred to stand outside in the warm weather.
It was low key and friendly enough near the ground but a different story getting into The County Ground. The policing was unnecessarily heavy-handed. Like it or not, we have a reputation and although much of it may be over the top hysteria, some of it has been deserved too. A few police forces are going to over-act this way, we just have to accept it and realise that it will take a long time to change it. A couple of City fans were arrested pre-game, seemingly for nothing worse than drunkenness, some of the unfriendly local constabulary seemed to be looking for any excuse.
Swindon's ground shows obvious signs of age but is decent enough for Second Division football and for an ex-Premier League ground, in much better shape than Oldham. The away end was an open terrace converted simply by bolting bog-standard rows of seats bolted onto them. As usual, most City fans stood for the whole match, seats used at half-time only. Cardiff fans were also in the end block of a pitch length wooden-type main grandstand. The rest of the ground was a low family style stand behind the opposite goal and a higher, narrower, newer stand to our right which Swindon's "boys" occupied to be as near as they could to us. Vocally and visually, they were no competition.
Despite the game being all ticket and City's allocation only sold to season ticket holders and members who have volunteered a photo at Ninian Park, it was still hell trying to get onto the ground. Full body searches, slow service at turnstiles and general awkwardness from the police milling around. It meant that several hundred City fans were still outside the ground as the 1 minute tribute silence took place for Holly and Jessica, the murdered football loving schoolgirls, but prompted by City fans outside, everyone - police, stewards, turnstiles and fans - all observed it immaculately.
The game was 3 to 4 minutes old before I got in, ridiculous, but in keeping with most of the 90 minutes, not much was missed. City made 1 change, Spencer Prior returned to the heart of City's defence, with Chris Barker, who had acted as a stopgap centre-half, amongst the substitutes. Prior's presence, for me, was one of the key reasons why City were solid and organised at the back. His no-nonsense style, experience and fight in the battle made the difference. He should have started last week, I remain convinced that we'd not have conceded those goals and beaten Northampton, despite a poor performance last week if Lennie had used him instead of Barker out of position, a bad decision.
Pre-game, Lennie spoke to Gabbidon, Weston and Earnie ensure they were ok after all played well in the midweek Welsh draw in Croatia with the trio getting home only 30 hours before kick-off of this match. Earnie started as sub again, Weston seemed inspired by playing for Wales but Gabbidon, outstanding in Croatia, was surprisingly most affected. Nearly all the notable action in the opening 20 minutes were due to Gabbidon stray passes, being tackled as he played too casually or being slow to react. Gabbi and City lived on their nerves but, more by luck, got away with it before all settled with Gabbi looking the quality act that he is as the game developed.
One big concern for City fans was today's referee, the infamous Barry Knight-"mare" of Orpington, Kent. The name alone strikes instant fear into those supporters who were regulars pre-Sam Hammam after one of the most controversial performances I have ever seen in a home game against Cambridge in Frank Burrows promotion season of 97/98. He has caused amongst fans of many clubs, we just happened to be the first to notice.
Naturally, he's now a Premier ref! Last week, he ref'd Southampton v Middlesborough and gave no yellow or red cards for the first time in 2 years and with little controversy, he had to put that right today. We shouldn't be bothered about ref's but Knight-mare is one who loves to be seen and leave his mark on the game. He was consistent though, annoying both sets of fans. The game wasn't dirty but he was whistle happy, awarding 24 free-kicks and contributing to a messy game. He made Lennie and Butterworth wear training bibs, saying their tops (the ones they wear every game) clashed with City's shirts and, most importantly, he declined 3 City penalty appeals, all were justified.
City's formation may be 4-3-3, we have quality in just about every position but our style today was undoubtedly Route One. Our attacks generally involved someone trying to win a throw or corner chasing long balls, our main weapon was Andy Legg throws. Better players, better results but for all the talk, has that much really changed about City?
City's first attacking action came just before 15 minutes from a Leggy long-throw which Peter Thorne, playing against his old club, met and powered a header against the post. Gareth Whalley was first to react and powered a drive for the top corner which home keeper, Griemink, beat away well. It gave Whalley an appetite as he was just over the bar a couple of minutes later with another drive.
Swindon responded with a few efforts but all were from outside the area and either blocked or flew high or wide. It was drab but the crowd were woken on 28 minutes with a City goal, the style of it quite predictable.
City won a free-kick and crowded the area, Leo stood on the keeper, the ball over was just about punched away by Griemink. Whalley headed back as Swindon raced out for LEO FORTUNE-WEST to turn and fire inside the right hand post. City fans went wild, Leo was saluted in song (as he was long into the night back in Cardiff City Centre) but it was the last real effort either team mustered in the opening period.
Whalley sent another effort over the bar and although we didn't see it at the other end, City were denied a penalty when the ball hit the hand of a Swindon player from a cross. Knight spotted it but ruled it accidental.
Half-Time: Swindon 0 City 1
If the first half was short of incident, the second period although intense, was worse. Until a Graham Kavanagh effort on target with 5 minutes remaining, there were no efforts on goal from either side.
In tribute to City, it was up to Swindon to change the game and although they tried their hardest, put plenty of pressure on Cardiff and caused a few problems,
The Bluebirds kept their concentration perfectly and totally shut the home side out. It was a battle and when it mattered, we were organised and too strong for them to break down.
There were worries. A dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area was well blocked
by Weston who charged out and deflected over the bar. Another volley was blocked by a City defender, this time Knight-mare ignored Swindon appeals for handball. On the hour, The Robins brought on Sam Parkin and attacked in greater numbers. Parkin, a burly striker, signed from Chelsea netted an opening day hat-trick but started from the bench today due to a stomach upset but, like all others, he was well marshalled by City's defence and never given sight of goal.
With Swindon exerting more pressure, it was City's turn to make changes with Earnie and Barker appearing for the final 20 minutes replacing Thorne and Campbell and City moving to 5-3-2. Both the subbed players were quiet today. Campbell, in particular, seems to be suffering and it is surely start to start with Earnie. He is nothing like the player who scored 8 in 8 on loan last season and seems to be very low on confidence. The current playing style doesn't help him either, Campbell thrives on balls played in space or in front of him, the team have rarely done that this season. Without many crosses, there are few knockdowns for him to thrive on either.
Earnie's playing style where he can make things happen and use his skill is more suitable as he proved by showing 5 times as much as him in 20 minutes. But it must be recognised that he was helped because Swindon threw more players at City in the closing stages which give him more space than Campbell was able to enjoy. He was also rightly furious to see Kav shoot for goal from 25 yards on the wide right when he worked hard to get into clear space inside him. Kav has been guilty of shooting in 'no (or little) hope' positions ignoring far better options a few times already this season.
Shortly after, Rhys Weston limped out, having been very impressive with a minor leg injury. Layton Maxwell replaced him, Croft moved to the right and Legg to the left. Maxwell's introduction helped City as his greater energy started winning more of the ball.
The best (only) chances of the closing minute all belonged to City. Kav broke clear on the wide right but, Griemink had a comfortable save. Then Barry Knight-mare entered the fray with two incredible penalty appeal declines.
The first seemed clear cut as Leo sent Eranie racing into space on the right, he touched the ball past Griemink and although the ball was running wide to give Earnie a clear shot, a desperate challenge from behind with no ball contact sent him straight to the floor. There was only one decision to be made, Knight waved play on, it defied belief.
A minute later, Leo used trickery to beat one defender and got ahead of another as the goal opened up for him. A challenge sent him down. City fans standing feet away again had no doubts. It looked obvious, maybe not quite as clear cut as Earnie's but Knight infuriated everyone by declaring it a dive and giving Leo a yellow card for diving to add insult to injury. We seem to get Knight-mare most seasons. Let's be happy we've got him out of the way for this season and he only affected the margin of victory rather than the actual result.
The closing stages brought some exciting and atmosphere to the game. A combination of the match itself and the warm weather kept things quiet overall but City fans partied and celebrated at the end. Everyone in the ground knew the game was a bit of a stinker to watch but City were very effective and got their deserved reward. If we can't be pretty, let's be effective and win anyway.
Cardiff City are the best team in the country away from home at present, it's now 8 wins and a draw in 9 away starts under Lennie - a run which must also be the best in City's history. Confidence will undoubtedly have returned to the team after the Northampton stutter, let's hope it converts to another effective display but much more entertainment when we play Luton on Monday. They are surprisingly 23rd, winless, pointless and have conceded 13 goals in their opening 4 games. It is vital that City add to their agony.
Match report by FootyMad.
Leo Fortune-West scored the only goal midway through the first half as Cardiff recorded their third win in four matches, with a 1-0 triumph at Swindon.
There was an element of luck about Fortune-West's goal in the 27th minute and there were some anxious moments for the 2,000 travelling Cardiff fans.
Cardiff's real matchwinner was midfielder Andy Legg who caused chaos in the Swindon box every time he took one of many long throws from the touchline.
It was from one of these in the 27th minute that Swindon took the lead which they never surrendered.
Swindon failed to clear the danger properly and Fortune-West scored from ten yards with the aid of his left knee.
Another long throw from Legg resulted in Gareth Whalley shooting over from close range and there were more problems again for Swindon in the 11th minute with yet another Legg long throw.
This time former Swindon striker Peter Thorne hit the post with a header and from the rebound Whalley saw his fierce shot brilliantly palmed to safety by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Griemink.
Swindon struggled to create chances and the nearest they came to scoring in the first half was a free kick in the 18th minute by their hard-working captain Andy Gurney which went just wide.
After the break Swindon should have equalised in the 69th minute when Jimmy Davis, on-loan from Manchester United, got free down the right.
His low centre found Eric Sabin free and only two yards out, but the big French striker failed to make contact when a goal looked certain.
Cardiff's delighted manager Lennie Lawrence said: "It was important we won today after losing at home to Northampton last week.
"The players have done half the job and we need to complete it fully on Monday when we play Luton at home."
External Match Reports
The Football Echo
BBC Wales (inc audio)
Wales On Sunday