By Stuart Kidson
November 27 2003

A return to the Principality for Koumas and Johnson following their heartache with the Wales team. Could they come away feeling better this time ? Apologies for the late posting of the report but problems with the PC meant I could not post until now. Cardiff City (1) v West Bromwich Albion (1)
Ninian Park, Tuesday 25th November 2003

Despite the off field crisis surrounding the Baggies this weekend, Albion were strong enough in character not to allow the pressure caused by the media frenzy surrounding Lee Hughes to throw them out of their stride as they made it 7 games unbeaten away from home.

Jason Koumas made sure his return to the Welsh capital was a happier experience than last weeks disappointing visit with Wales in their Euro 2004 Play off, when he scored his fifth goal of the season.

Cardiff were first off the blocks, however, and Russell Hoult was forced into making a fine finger tip save as Richard Langley hit a powerful volley hard and on target into the ground. The cross was supplied by former Albion player Danny Gabbidon.

Cardiff again looked dangerous moments later when Gavin Gordon rose highest in the box from a John Robinson corner but his effort went inches wide of the upright. As expected Robert Earnshaw was soon making his presence felt amongst the Baggies defence as he looked to extend his lead at the Divisions leading goal scorer. His 15 yard effort lacked any real pace and Hoult was able to deal with the shot comfortably.

The home side were pressuring the Baggies and almost took the lead thanks to Albion skipper Sean Gregan, when a Robinson shot deflected off the former Preston man but again Hoult was on hand to avert any danger.

The Barmy Army, some 2000 strong, were finally given a chance to become animated when Paul Robinson crossed for Rob Hulse, but the Bluebirds keeper did well to tip the ball away to safety. Cardiff were soon attacking again and Robinson saw his left footed volley go skidding across the greasy surface just past the Baggies upright.

Koumas was beginning to become something of a problem for the Bluebirds midfielders and was instrumental in nearly all of the Albion attacks. The former Tranmere player had a chance to set Scott Dobie away who was out wide on the edge of the Cardiff area just after the 25 minute mark but chose to go it alone. Koumas , however, lost control of the ball and Rob Hulse was called offside.

The Welsh midfielder then made amends moments later when he jinked his way around three men and sent in a cross for Dobie. The Cardiff keeper was first to react, however, and collected the ball before the former Carlisle striker could do any damage.

The same two Baggies players again combined as Cardiff struggled to contain the mercurial midfielder. Koumas broke clear down the right and sent over a cross that found the Scotland international on the edge of the area. Dobie turned and hit a weak shot straight at Alexander in the Cardiff goal.

James O'Connor was the next Baggies player to chance his arm when he ran onto a loose ball and struck a 25 yard shot agonisingly wide of the post as Alexander desperately stretching to cover his goalmouth.

Albion were pressurising the home side now and Koumas sent in a swinging corner but neither Dobie or Thomas Gaardsoe could connect with the ball which sailed across the face of the goal. Things were not all Albion though and Cardiff broke clear and Gordon tried his luck again from long range which Hoult did well to contain.

The half ended on a sour note for Dobie though, when he collided with both keeper and upright attempting to get onto the end of a Paul Robinson cross. The tall striker lay motionless in the Bluebirds goal and had to be stretchered off. Artim Sakiri was bought on for Dobie, but it was Andy Johnson who almost got the break through when he let fly from 25 yards and made Alexander's hands sting.

The home side almost grabbed the lead when Chris Barker crossed and Gaardsoe missed the header. The loose ball fell to Gordon, but he could only direct his effort over the crossbar thanks to Paul Roinson's challenge which was enough to rattle the City player.

Four minutes into the second half, Koumas found the back of the net after Hulse had robbed the ball from Richard Langley on the edge of the box. His pass found Koumas who took a touch before hitting a right footed shot towards goal. The unfortunate Barker got in the way and could only deflect the ball past Alexander who was now wrong footed thanks to his team mates assistance.

Cardiff kept attacking and in the 65th minute, were awarded a debateable penalty when it was alleged that Bernt Haas had tripped Mark Bonner in the area. That man Earnshaw stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Hoult, who had gone the right way, for his 20th of the season.

Sean Gregan picked up his 5th yellow card of the season for a late challenge on Earnshaw and Julian Gray, on loan to City from Crystal Palace, almost edged the home side ahead from the free kick 20 yards out but the ball went inches wide of the mark.

Langley then almost made amends for his error which lead to the Baggies goal when he struck a thunderbolt shot from 20 yards which hit the underside of the bar after beating Hoult. The loose ball could only be hooked over by substitute Peter Thorne, who had replaced Gordon in the 62nd minute.

Koumas almost made it two forthe Baggies minutes later when he swung a low free kick at goal but Alexander went to full stretch to stop the shot and held onto the ball well. Hoult then had to have his wits about him as City went on the rampage again, and Earnshaw hit a well taken shot goalwards. Hoult was equal to the task and dealt with the ball well.

As the game wound down it turned into a real end to end battle as both teams went looking for the winner and that man Koumas again tested the home side keeper with a 30 yard free kick which took a wicked deflection. Alexander managed to get one hand to the ball and denied the Baggies all three points.

The game ended 1 - 1 although it looked likely that the home side would walk away with a win at times. Both sides battled well but to be fair to the home side they were the better side.

The baggiesworld.co.uk Man of the Match goes to - Jason Koumas

Teams

CARDIFF CITY: Alexander, Croft, Gabbidon, Vidmar, Barker, Robinson, Langley, Bonner, Gray, Earnshaw, Gordon.
Subs: Boland, Thorne, Margetson, Prior, Campbell

BAGGIES: Hoult, Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist, Haas, Koumas, O'Connor, Johnson, Robinson, Hulse, Dobie
Subs: Murphy, Sakiri, Dichio, J. Chambers, Clement