REPORT: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 BURTON ALBION
HEALEY HITS ADDED-TIME WINNER AGAINST BURTON
Rhys Healey came off the bench against Burton Albion to score his first goal for Cardiff City - his dramatic strike in added time securing a third successive league win for the Bluebirds.
A HALF OF FEW CHANCES
After an evenly matched first twenty minutes, Kadeem Harris enjoyed the first opportunity for the Bluebirds. Anthony Pilkington’s through ball found the winger, whose low drive fizzed across the box. Moments later, striker Kenneth Zohore also had a golden chance. A powerful shot on goal squirmed under the arms of Burton 'keeper Jon McLaughlin, agonisingly rolling the wrong side of the upright.
At the other end, the best moment for Albion fell to Lloyd Dyer, although the winger could only fire wide from inside the box. An Aron Gunnarsson effort from the edge of the area also went wide, as City looked to break the deadlock with some promising attacking play. However, the first half ended with the score goalless.
BLUEBIRDS TAKE THE INITIATIVE
The second period began with the bluebirds on the front foot, as Harris and Zohore came close to giving the home side the lead. Sean Morrison also went close, with his header deflecting out for a corner. The introduction of Matty Kennedy added further attacking creativity down the flank, earning a corner from which City penalty shouts fell on deaf ears. A Harris shot from the edge of the box was easily held by McLaughlin, whilst Burton full-back Tom Flanagan fired a similarly ranged effort just over the crossbar of City debutant Allan McGregor.
The introduction of strike duo Rickie Lambert and Rhys Healey gave Cardiff a new attacking threat for the final twenty minutes, and as the game ticked into the final stages, the Bluebirds went in search of the winner, with a number of set piece opportunities. The Brewers held firm, with McLaughlin claiming a number of crosses into the area, with the match approaching full time.
HEALEY STRIKE EARNS WIN
A foul on Healey brought one final opportunity for Neil Warnock’s men, with fellow substitute Lambert standing over the free kick. After the set-piece struck the wall, the ball fell to Harris on the left, who whipped a dangerous ball into the box. As the ball fell, Healey was on hand to head home, sending the City fans in the Canton Stand into raptures.
A late chance for Burton fell to former Bluebird Ben Turner, whose flick on was blocked, before falling into the arms of McGregor. The three points propel City up to sixteenth in the table, with trips to Brighton & Hove Albion and Reading coming up next.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 BURTON ALBION
Cardiff City: McGregor, Peltier, Bamba, Morrison, Connolly, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Hoilett (Healey 79), Harris, Pilkington (Kennedy 54), Zohore (Lambert 67).
Subs not used: Murphy, Richards, Halford, Whittingham.
Burton Albion: McLaughlin, Flanagan, Brayford, McFadzean, Turner, Palmer (Harness 74), Murphy, Naylor (O’Grady 90+1), Akins, Dyer, Sordell.
Subs not used: Bywater, McCrory, Barker, Mousinho, Williamson.
