If the Latics are going to lose away from home this season, then it’s going to take an almighty performance to beat us. The song "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba describes the spirit with which this side has –
"I get knocked down, but I get up again, cause you’re never gunna keep me down!"
Time and time again we’ve faced losing the best away record in Britain, yet that belief that we won’t lose it and a hint of good fortune keeps it going.
It was always going to be a difficult night at the Ninian, but it was made much tougher by a lack of support for the visitors, a vibrant crowd for the hosts and a goal-keeping error which meant the Latics had it all to do. Just 160 fans managed to make it to Cardiff – in what was probably one of our biggest league game for years - falling a long way short of the 561 at Wycombe. Although it is very difficult for fans to make Friday night games and sacrifices need to be made, the excuses were plentiful. After all it is was on TV, the weather was poor, it meant taking time off work and it was Cardiff City. It’s funny that nobody used those same excuses for the Derby County, West Ham and Crystal Palace cup games.
Moving on, it was refreshing to see officials that knew how to officiate. The Latics are a dirty side aren’t they? Well, this game saw one of the best refereeing displays I’ve seen and in a game when one or two things could have been pulled up (like a rough 26th minute tackle by Andrews), the referee resisted it and allowed football to flow. Indeed, only a couple of bookings were produced as Cardiff produced 2 rough challenges late on, which some refs may have punished more harshly. So please note Division 2 – Good referee and Oldham Athletic equals no bookings. Bet you never thought you’d see that.
Entering Ninian Park, Latics fans were immediately welcomed to a chorus of jeers. The junior home support is placed in the same stand as the away support and it was evident from the off that this was where the most abuse would come from. It’s amazing how foul and disgusting such a huge number of under-16 years old could be, however the main catalyst for this is obviously borne out of hatred for the English. It’s amazing what jealousy does, isn’t it? Worryingly though, it makes you wonder what these kids will turn into when the influences that Cardiff City are "apparently" well-known for, kick in.
Dowie, faced with suspensions made changes to the line-up which saw a home defeat to Crewe. Duxbury replaced Baudet, whilst Miskelly made his first league start of the season as he covered for Pogliacomi.
The first half was played out as a bit of a nothing contest. The defences were on top throughout, whilst admittedly Cardiff enjoyed a larger share of possession and it was the visitors defence that faced a stiffer work-out. Hall was colossal, proving exactly why Premiership scouts are gracing Boundary Park every home game, whilst Haining provided good back up and Miskelly supported by cutting out several decent crosses. Berahall didn’t seem to be up to his usual standard though.
To be honest, in the opening period, neither keeper had much to do but patrol their area. Play flowed very freely and thus the half seemed to vanish in no time. On 23, Mahon had an effort which narrowly flew past the far post and then on 33, Murray hit a half chance over the bar from the edge of the box. But they were the games only real attempt until the 37th minute, when Cardiff received a fortunate breakthrough. The only thing to separate the sides as they departed for half-time was Bowen’s opener which Miskelly should have stopped. The Cardiff player was played in by Mahon’s neat ball and Bowen raced into the box against a sleeping Berahall, who stood off too far, to fire under Miskelly’s body. From the only 1st half shot on target, Cardiff were leading. 0-1.
On the stroke of half-time, the visitors had their first real chance of scoring as Murray, who was industrious throughout, powered a drive from the corner of the box. It was one of those clever balls through the 6 yard box which might either zip in or get a touch from a player, however a Cardiff defender managed to hack away from 4yds. TV replays apparently showed that the shot was heading wide, should Andrews have failed to latch onto it.
The visitors were struggling to find an outlet in the 1st half to relieve the pressure and worryingly, Burgess looked either unfit or dis-interested. Fortunately that changed in the 2nd half, but when a player has gone on record as saying, I’m glad I’ve come to Oldham because it’s a tough regime and sometimes I don’t push myself as hard as I should, it sticks in ones mind. For the opening 45, Burgess rarely increased from jogging pace and his anticipation of where to be, looked appalling. Thankfully, it improved immensely in the 2nd half though.
The Blue-Tits, accompanied with a crowd doing the most ridiculous mocking of a blue-tit (sorry, bluebird) seized control of the play after the re-start. The half was played out in 2 parts; for the first 20 minutes or so, Cardiff threatened to score a 2nd before the Latics took over and played some neat football.
The Latics defence became under siege early on, but Haining’s mis-placed pass didn’t help matters as it left Miskelly stranded and Earnshaw clean through on goal. Hall had expertly got on the goal-line though and cleared the ball away. Seconds later, Mahon had an effort from just outside the box deflected into Miskelly’s hands.
Despite immense Cardiff pressure though, the Latics looked to get forward and on 55, Duxbury sent Andrews down the wing and he superbly linked up with Burgess who was now looking more dangerous. With a pin-point cross, Burgess cleverly checked his run to drift infront of Barker and crash a header against the bar.
However, that only spurred on the Blue-Tits and a rampant 5 minute spell began as Cardiff started to look deadly. On 58, Earnshaw powered a drive for the top corner which Miskelly superbly finger-tipped away. Seconds later Mahon’s superb cross found Peter Thorne whose unchallenged run allowed a free header. The ball looked to be heading in under the crossbar, but Miskelly once again pulled off a heroic save. And then they almost secured a 2nd when Kavanagh was allowed too much time and space to drive an effort for goal, but that flew marginally wide.
The Latics were holding out, but that was more to do with Cardiff’s inability to find the back of the net more than anything else. However, with the chances they were creating, the Welsh outfit were really showing why they are serious contenders to that 2nd spot. Indeed on 63, another effort should’ve doubled their lead but Mahon’s 35 yard drive deflected off Earnshaw’s leg, leaving Miskelly totally flat-footed but fortunately sending it an inch wide.
The Latics responded to the pressure by replacing Duxbury with Carss. Dowie obviously felt Carss’ midfield engine could sustain more pressure in the Cardiff half and it worked from the off. Within 2 minutes, a decent move allowed Andrews to feed Burgess again, but Kavanagh was wise to it and managed to just take the ball of the strikers head as he was about to nod home. From the corner, Burgess appeared to be dragged to the floor but the referee couldn’t see this through the crowd of players.
The Latics were seeing a lot more of Cardiff’s goal now, but on the counter Bowen glanced an effort wide on 69. The Latics responded and Haining’s nod down for Andrews almost produced the equaliser, but the former Chesham players effort hit a Cardiff leg which diverted it from going into the back of the net.
Finally on 87, the Latics pulled level. Carss played the ball to Andrews whose cheeky back-heel fell perfect for Burgess to run into the box and curl an effort for the far corner. The keeper should have saved the effort, but punched the ball out and Eyres was 1st to anticipate; following up to smash in a deserved equaliser. 1-1.
Despite some fearsome pressure from Cardiff in the final few minutes, including 4 minutes of injury time, the Latics had done it again. Like at Wycombe and in plenty other games this season - just when you felt this might be where the run ends the boys pull it out again.
The message seems loud and clear. Cardiff might be one of our biggest rivals in this promotion battle, but write us off at your peril. Lennie Lawrence said many, very kind words after the game and praised the Latics for punishing Cardiff for missing their chances. Now with Stockport, Plymouth, Notts County, Mansfield and Colchester to play in the next 4 weeks, it is time the Latics took their chances and made that 2nd spot ours. Then we can look back at the Ninian affair and say, "my, how important that result was."