Stoke 0 Cardiff 0 – 4/11/23 3pm
A point each probably fair after a hard fought game between the Cities. Two good saves by Bonham kept Stoke afloat, but Vidigal & Leris couldn’t finish Cardiff off. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
Three great wins, three great performances…and against TOP opposition. Stoke must now hit their stride and grab a slice of momentum & consistency. Cardiff are on 2 wins in 2, so there’ll be too many heads held high today…but only one winner. (A draw will favour Cardiff!) Vidigal & Burger in for Haksabanovic and Laurent, but surely the structure is the same…?
12.52 Most of the action is down Stoke’s right with Hoever and in particular Leris making serious dents into the Cardiff defence. Eventually an attack down the LEFT results in Hoever planting the ball in the net, but the ref has blown.
15.42 Jack saves Rose’s blushes! A good headline, that! Michael slices a clearance, but Bonham is out to boot the ball clear. In Jack we trust. (Although Stoke have little choice in this matter!)
17.52 Hoever’s cross reaches Vidigal’s left foot, but it must be hit first time, which it isn’t…
21.07 Vidigal goes down in the area, but nothing given. Ref has to see motive and opportunity to give anything.
32.49 As Vidigal fails to clear a corner, Cardiff head a cross just wide. Arguably the best chance of the match.
36.30 After Leris gives away a free kick on the right, Capt Joe Ralls tries to take it early and it hits Leris only 2 yards away, rebounding for a throw-in. Ralls wants another free kick, but the ref says throw-in. It’s tough.
39.23 Whilst Siopis is down in the Stoke half, Stoke attack, until Leris shoots wide. Cardiff ruffled.
41.10 McNally yellowed harshly for a tackle on Karlan grant.
44.51 Robinson shot turned on to post by Bonham.
HT 0-0 to the ref.
Attendance: 23,089
55.55 Pearson & Meite tussle in the area, but Capt Ben gets the decision, however Yakou (wanting a penalty) is furious.
58.10 Wesley and Haksabanovic on for Vidigal and Gayle.
66.30 Junho Bae on for Daniel Johnson.
72.40 Ref given the choice of fouls to choose from, one as Wesley is spooned from behind, and then Junho is tumbled over.
76.48 Rose rises to meet a corner, but it’s over. He needs to get a grip.
81.30 Gooch and Laurent on for Leris and Burger.
87.20 After good work by Gooch on the right, Laurent tries a volley with predicable consequences.
90+3 Great save at the near post by Bonham. Might have gone wide, but no risk taken.
90+7 0-0. Oh well.
