[Archived] News Article -> 2012/13 Half-Time: Cardiff City 1 Rovers 0

[Eddie1363894574]

Rovers were totally outplayed in the opening 45 minutes of today's match against Cardiff City and deservedly trail at the break. The home side have controlled proceedings and the ball has rarely left the Rovers half, with Cardiff finally breaking the deadlock when Frazier Campbell headed home from close range.

There were early warning signs for Rovers when Barnett fired straight at the keeper and Cardiff could have easily taken the lead in the opening 10 minutes when Kean flapped at a corner, but Campbell headed softly into the ground from only a few yards out. Rovers' failure to properly deal with Cardiff's set-pieces became a running trend, and Kean did well to punch the ball away when it looked as though he might be caught out directly from a corner.

The away side were firmly on the back foot and were relying on last-ditch defending and good goalkeeping to keep themselves level, but Cardiff had a good shout for a penalty turned down when the ball appeared to strike Hanley's arms as the defender slid in to make a block. It was a huge slice of luck for Rovers and they nearly took full advantage when Pedersen's beautiful pass found Best in the penalty area, but the forward was ruled offside after his first-time finish had gone in off the right-hand post.

That venture forward turned out to be only a momentary reprieve and Campbell nearly scored after Gunnarsson's long throw resulted in a scramble in the penalty area, but the former England striker's effort hit the crossbar and bounced to safety. Kean then failed to hold onto a shot and was fortunate to see Connolly blaze over from the edge of the area, before Cardiff went even closer when another long throw fell to Bellamy in the area, but the Cardiff captain saw his first effort saved by Kean and his second effort cleared off the line by Jones.

It looked as though Rovers might somehow get to half-time with a clean sheet, but from the resulting corner Kean once again flapped at the ball and failed to get anything on it and Campbell, who had peeled away to be totally unmarked at the back post, was left with the simple task of heading home from only a couple of yards out.

It was no more than Cardiff deserved and Rovers will need to drastically improve if they are to stand any chance of getting back into the match. Current results are going against Rovers and they will sit dangerously close to the relegation zone if they do not manage to get themselves back into this match.

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