Issue 155
More tackles fly in as Cardiff scrape a 1-0 win
Men lose by one
08th May 2007
Cardiff 1 - Swansea 0
On this epic day, two opposing forces faced each other. The crowd was rallied, the players fired up, taunts echoed across the pitch between rival supporters.
The Swansea boys won the toss and a battle of Herculean proportion ensued. Hockey sticks clashed, and with some raucous support behind them, the boys plunged themselves into an intensely ferocious first half.
Play was quick, sharp and aggressive; Swansea's forwards making a break and storming into the Cardiff D with a near miss on goal within the first five minutes.
The game was then abruptly reversed with Cardiff taking most of the possession and taking a clear shot on goal that was fantastically saved by the Swansea goalie.
Swansea were exceptional in their use of space, tight defense and the solid passing formation they had when passing the ball around the back. Andy Hunter was solid in defense and Matthew Kirk made a brilliant attempt on goal, nearly converting the ball from a corner shot.
The fact that Cardiff first team players on the pitch were in fact two divisions higher than Swansea and that Swansea's first team had been plagued by injury it was of considerable achievement to finish the first half 0-0. Every single player was thinking tactically and working the ball accordingly. It was palpable in the atmosphere on and off the pitch how much winning would mean and the struggle for victory continued.
Just as the tension was unbearable, five minutes from the end a dog casually sauntered onto the pitch, effortlessly dodged a few players, and stole the ball.
Play was stopped as the rogue dog pranced about gleefully with the ball and was only persuaded to drop the ball when he was chased off by angry substitutes waving hockey sticks. Play continued as it left off, but as the whistle sounded it was still a stalemate, with no side leaving room for mistakes at 0-0.
Cardiff came out unbelievably strong at the beginning of the first half, continually battering the Swansea defense, who held up and managed to clear the ball up to the attackers on numerous occasions. Captain Jamie Pascoe showed good skill constantly making good tackles and claiming the ball. A Swansea foul resulted in a Cardiff penalty that went just wide narrowly missing the goal.
Cardiff in the first fifteen minutes had several shots on goal, but the passing in and around the D was messy and Swansea defense easily managed to get the ball back into their half. Another Cardiff penalty and Swansea came out hard and fast intimidated the opposition, hitting the ball away before it had even entered the D. In the last ten minutes Cardiff made a quick break down the wing and scored.
The Swansea crowd and players were gutted as they had come so close to achieving a draw. It was a heroic effort from both sides and so much effort went into this match but in no way did the score reflect the way Swansea played.
Waterfront Online