By Chris O'Brien
April 18 2004

The Clarets slumped to another defeat in a poor game at Ninian Park. Results elsewhere mean we are now just outside the relegation zone on goal difference. An inspired Andy Campbell changed the game as substitute, as Cardiff put two consecutive defeats behind them with a 2-0 victory over a poor looking Burnley side. The play-off hero took his chance by winning the penalty that broke the deadlock, and then superbly slotting home the winning goal minutes later.

The Clarets made a couple of change with Luke Chadwick, Richard Chaplow all getting recalls. May slotted in at the back with Graham Branch being moved upto centre forward, Chadwick played on the right with Little moved over to the left. Chapppy came in for the injured Neil Wood.

Burnley started the better of the two sides with Robbie Blake a constant threat. Not only did he look lively in front of goal, but also passed the ball around well and even took the Burnley corners! Luke Chadwick also looked lively on the right flank, but they couldn't turn early pressure into clear cut chances, with Blake's long range effort which flashed over the bar the only Clarets opportunity of note in the early exchanges.

At the other end, Burnley 'keeper Brian Jensen was booked after handling outside the area, sparking obvious controversy that the card should have been red. Robert Earnshaw fired a shot wide on the half-hour, and Richard Langley forced Jensen into a save before half-time, but the game was rather flat and the below-par crowd at Ninian Park was hardly exhilarated! Neither side had the extra edge needed to find the opening goal in the first-half, with the Lee and Earnshaw not working again.

The half-time children's football provided greater entertainment that the opening half, and to be fair it was a cracking game! The greens edged out a 3-1 thriller, which perked up the crowd, and hopefully the scouts were watching as some of the kids on show possessed a lot of quality!

The results at half time were grim with Derby, and Gillingham both winning. Cardiff started the stronger in the second half with John Robinson forcing Jensen into a diving save, with Earnshaw and Lee also squandering chances. Lee has a less than impressive game and certainly didn't look like punishing Ternent's decesion to sell him to Rotherham a few years back. The home win started to look the more likely result as the pressure was piled on the Clarets backline.

However, despite Cardiff's improvements the game still wasn't much of a spectacle, until Lennie Lawrence introduced out-of-favour striker Andy Campbell replacing the ineffective Robert Earnshaw. The former England Under-21 international, who scored for the reserves during mid-week, was fouled in the box by Mark McGregor after latching onto the cross of another substitute, Paul Parry. Referee Michael Jones of Cheshire showed no hesitation in awarding the penalty, which could be the difference between his fellow Lancastrians staying in the division this season.

Langley made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending the Burnley 'keeper the wrong way to score the clubs first goal in almost six hours.

The goal really deflated the Clarets, who had seemed happy to play-out for a point before the penalty was awarded. The Clarets won a corner almost immediately after kick-off, but the City defence had started closely marking Burnley forward Robert Blake, who had looked their sole threat for most of the game. It is no wonder why Blake is near the top of the First Division scorers list, but his all-round play was also very impressive, particularly in the first-half when the Bluebirds defence were not picking him up.

Within three minutes, the home win was secured with Andy Campbell getting the winning goal. Great work from John Robinson saw the Welsh international play a beautiful through ball to Campbell, who finished superbly with a low, hard drive into the back of the net. The majority of the 13,525 in attendance celebrated, and Campbell's celebration indicated exactly what the strike meant to him. He deserves to start against Preston at Deepdale next weekend.

Burnley mustered something of a late rally, but their efforts amounted to nothing for their 500-odd travelling fans to celebrate. The defeat sees Burnley drop to 21st in the table, with Gillingham breathing down their necks. Only a win at home to an improving Wimbledon on Tuesday will do for Stan Ternent's side, with the Lancashire outfit in serious danger of getting relegated to the Second Division.

Overall it was another poor display from Burnley. Cardiff were there for the taking but the negative approach backfired for the side. Tuesdays game against Franchise is a MUST win game so that the Clarets can take a positive attitude into the vital match against Derby this Saturday.

Full Time - Cardiff City 2-0 Burnley
Attendance - 13,535

Cardiff City: Margetson, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Collins, Croft, Langley, Boland, Whalley, Robinson, Lee, Earnshaw. Subs: Campbell, Barker, Parry, Lee-Barrett, Bullock.

Burnley FC: Jensen, Roche, May, Branch, McGregor, Camara, Little, Grant, Chadwick, Chaplow, Blake. Subs: Adebola, Alan Moore, Johnrose, Abbey, Pilkington.