Match Report

by Chris O'Brien

The live Sky cameras were given an excellent advert for Division Two football this evening as Oldham Athletic, who were unbeaten away from home took on the Bluebirds.

Lawrence made 6 changes from the side that slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the McAlpine Stadium last week, with Alan Mahon, Jason Bowen, Willie Boland, Gary Croft and Graham Kavanagh all returning to the starting line-up.

The Bluebirds started the game brightly, and the width which Jason Bowen and Alan Mahon brought to the City team was really paying off. Mahon's crosses were causing problems for the Latics defence and Thorne went close early on with a header.

Oldham though weren't afraid to attack City, and had a good chance on the half hour mark as Paul Murray's shot flew inches over Neil Alexander's bar, after he had broke into the box unmarked.

Cardiff continued to put pressure on the visitors and Mahon's runs at the defence were creating chances. City deservedly took the lead 10 minutes before the break after Jason Bowen pounced on a pass from Mahon, Bowen found himself in space and after taking the ball a few steps forward blasted it into the bottom right-corner of Miskelly's net. It's hard to imagine why Bowen was dropped last Saturday!

Oldham had the chance to equalise moments before the break, but Burgess' shot was blocked by Alan Mahon.

Half Time Score - Cardiff City 1-0 Oldham Athletic

Well, football is a game of two halves and it certainly showed today as Cardiff looked a lot weaker in the Second Half and let Oldham really push forward.

The Latics should have equalised on the hour mark, after Ben Burgess' header beat Alexander, but he was denied by the crossbar. Oldham were putting together some good spells of possession and were growing in confidence, it was clear to see why they remain unbeaten away from home in the league this season.

At the other end, Earnshaw had a fantastic opportunity to put the game out of reach of Oldham when he found himself with an open goal after taking the ball past Miskelly, but he scuffed the shot and the Latics defenders scrambled the ball away, but only as far as Peter Thorne but his shot flew over the bar.

City really sat back in the last quarter of an hour, and Oldham continued to pile pressure on the home side. David Eyers' corners were also causing problems for the Cardiff defence.

As the clock ticked down it looked as if Cardiff could hold on for three valuable points, but with just three minutes to go David Eyers netted a late equaliser for the visitors after Burgess' shot had been parried away by Alexander, Eyers put the ball away from close range at an acute angle.

A draw was probably the fair result, but Cardiff will be bitterly disappointed that they couldn't hold on to their lead and it's more vital points drop in this tight promotion chase.

Full Time Score - Cardiff City 1-1 Oldham Athletic

An excellent home debut for Mahon, his crossing and runs at the defence created some excellent chances for the Bluebirds.

Mahon and Bowen worked well together on the flanks, and City looked as if they had an extra edge to their game this evening. A perfect example of this was for the opening goal, when Mahon played a beautifully placed pass to Bowen, who comfortably put home his goal.

Well Done Alan! Welcome to Ninian Park!

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