Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Pirate raid: City 3-1 Rovers

Round two of the Carling Cup, and after our success over the Daggers in round 1 we again had a home tie against Bristol Rovers - the "Pirates".

Just 4 days after putting their local rivals Bristol City to the sword we aimed for Severnside double.

Dave Jones had a few players carrying knocks and so it was an opportunity for some players who hadn't had a decent got so far this season to get a run out.

In many ways, this game mirrored the Bristol City game. The Pirates didn't get a look in early. City had time and space and time after time opened up their opponents only for the final ball, or finish to disappoint.

However, on the half hour it was that man again - Michael Chopra, with his 8th of the season who eventually calmed City's (and the fans) nerves with a cool finish from new loan signing Kelvin Etuhu's pass.

City took the foot of the gas in the closing minutes of the first half, and in the opening period of the second, Rovers compacted things and made it hard for City. Whittingham put the game beyond reasonable doubt on 66 minutes poking home from short range, but nerves jittered again when sloppy defending game away a corner, and Elliott headed home unmarked to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes left.

That shook City into life again, and young Josh Magennis who'd some on as a sub wrapped it up on 86 minutes with his first professional senior level goal.

A job well done, against a potential banana skin as the old cliché goes. Now we look forward to the 3rd round draw and the entry of those big Premiership boys.

A word on the Rovers fans who came in their numbers and sang their heart out throughout the entire match. Good effort - best away support I've seen at Cardiff for some time.

Up the City!

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