An awayday across the water

The early exchanges saw the Clarets playing towards the Burnley fans and giving them cause for optimism as they forced corners on the left hand side which came to nought but were indicative of the fact that most of the game was being played in the Bluebirds half. Cardiff forays into our half were rare and well contained by the defence who sought to play the ball out wide and set up further attacks although their keeper was never forced into a save during this spell of pressure.

A rare Cardiff breakaway resulted in a corner on the right and although initially cleared the ball came out to Scimeca on the edge of the box and his low right foot shot across goal beat the diving Beast to send the locals into raptures and leave us scratching our heads – their only shot and they scored ! Cardiff now had their best spell as we resorted to hurried long ball clearances which came straight back as Gifton and Andy Gray were outnumbered by a Cardiff back line containing Purse and several other 6 foot plus players.

And yet there was still time for a cross from the left to somehow be missed by the entire Cardiff defence and to land at the feet of Andy Gray ; his look of amazement lasted as long as it took for the ball to bounce off him and into the hands of a grateful keeper.

Half time came and went and the second half was, one short spell aside, dominated by Burnley as Jon Harley's runs and probing balls set up several attacks down the left hand side. Time after time these promising moves resulted in balls across the area which were either scrambled away or eluded their intended target. And then, of course the bar intervened and with that bounce you knew it was not to be our day. Michael Chopra should have scored towards the end as Clarets pushed forward and a long ball out left him to spoon it over Jensen and the bar when it seemed easier to score.

A poor referee booked several Burnley players including Frank for going within three feet of a diving Cardiff player whose histrionics would have been worthy of the Premiership. And that is probably the nearest this Cardiff side will come to Premiership action for they did not impress given home advantage and will surely be overhauled by some of the sides below them.

And what of the Clarets? One of the facts of life living in Somerset is that away games are an easy option and over the years I have made several trips to Ninian Park, Twerton Park, Home Park and many other parks and witnessed performances where we have crumbled all too easily and the writing has been on the wall long before the final whistle. A 3-0 on this ground in 1991 when we went on to lose in the play-offs to Torquay springs readily to mind.

But today really was different. The defence was well marshalled, midfield performed when they got the ball down and the result was always in the balance. There is a professionalism about this side, they are well drilled and play for each other; the manager's achievements with such a small squad are to be applauded.

And yet one thing never changes – and why I am proud to be a Claret – the fans. The support was both intense and immense. Cardiff will not witness such a non-stop wall of noise again this season. I have never lived in Burnley and know only a few dozen fans by name; that doesn't matter because to be there today was, as it always is, everything.