CARDIFF CRUSH CHASETOWN'S DREAM
Cardiff came from behind to crush non-league Chasetown's dreams of advancing from the Third Round of the FA Cup at the Scholars. Charlie Blakemore's team were the lowest ever team to reach this stage of the competition, and they gave their Championship opponents a huge scare when they took the lead.
In the seventeenth minute Cardiff's Kevin McNaughton could only steer Ben Steane's cross into his own net to put the non-leaguers in front.
And, despite the six divisions between the clubs, the Welsh side were rocking and finding the muddy pitch hard going. They had composed themselves by the end of the first half, however, and Peter Whittingham curled in an equaliser with his left foot in injury time.
Scholars' 'keeper Lee Evans had played competently and was unlucky to concede. Only three minutes before the leveller, Evans had had to be at full-stretch to deny Whittingham.
But, after a number of corners, 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey found Steve MacLean in the hosts' area. MacLean, with his back to goal then laid the ball off to Whittingham who fired his shot just inside the left-hand post.
That strike steadied Dave Jones' team, and after the interval they took control of their minnow hosts. When Ramsey nodded the visitors in front Blakmore's side looked crestfallen.
Paul Parry's skimming drive confirmed the result, and at 3-1 Chasetown were always going to struggle to pull the game back in their favour.
Cardiff came from behind to crush non-league Chasetown's dreams of advancing from the Third Round of the FA Cup at the Scholars. Charlie Blakemore's team were the lowest ever team to reach this stage of the competition, and they gave their Championship opponents a huge scare when they took the lead.
In the seventeenth minute Cardiff's Kevin McNaughton could only steer Ben Steane's cross into his own net to put the non-leaguers in front.
And, despite the six divisions between the clubs, the Welsh side were rocking and finding the muddy pitch hard going. They had composed themselves by the end of the first half, however, and Peter Whittingham curled in an equaliser with his left foot in injury time.
Scholars' 'keeper Lee Evans had played competently and was unlucky to concede. Only three minutes before the leveller, Evans had had to be at full-stretch to deny Whittingham.
But, after a number of corners, 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey found Steve MacLean in the hosts' area. MacLean, with his back to goal then laid the ball off to Whittingham who fired his shot just inside the left-hand post.
That strike steadied Dave Jones' team, and after the interval they took control of their minnow hosts. When Ramsey nodded the visitors in front Blakmore's side looked crestfallen.
Paul Parry's skimming drive confirmed the result, and at 3-1 Chasetown were always going to struggle to pull the game back in their favour.
