City Flashback - 2008 | Ledley inspires win over the R's

Next up for the Bluebirds is a trip to Queens Park Rangers’ Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday, and, as City prepare to face the Rs, we take a look back at a memorable victory from 2008.

The Bluebirds went into the contest having enjoyed a positive start to the calendar year, recording January victories over Preston North End, Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as a dramatic 3-3 draw against eventual league champions West Bromwich Albion.

Welcoming Queens Park Rangers to Ninian Park was a tough challenge, but City stepped up admirably to secure a 3-1 victory.

The Bluebirds were finding joy in midfield, with Joe Ledley and Paul Parry continuing the fine form they showed during the previous fixture at The Hawthorns.

Parry was the architect of Ledley’s opener, with the Welsh international finishing well to give the Bluebirds the lead in the first half. Ledley further showed his quality to double the advantage before the break, netting his fifth goal in seven games for City.

There was no let up from City in the second period, as Parry turned scorer to put the Bluebirds in control with a three-goal lead, rounding off an impressive performance.

Despite Ledley and Parry taking the headlines, striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink also played a key part, as he set up both the second and third goal for the hosts.

Alongside defender Matthew Connolly, fellow future Bluebird Lee Camp was also in the R's starting lineup, and made a number of fine saves to prevent the Bluebirds from adding any further goals. 

Late in the contest, Rangers pulled a goal back through Hogan Ephraim, but it proved to be only a consolation, as the Bluebirds secured another three points.

City went on to finish 12th in the Championship at the end of the campaign, but it was our run in the FA Cup that the season is best remembered for.

After victories over Chasetown, Hereford United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Bluebirds booked their place at Wembley with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the Quarter-Finals.

With Ledley having a fantastic season, the midfielder stepped up in the Semi-Final against Barnsley, netting a sublime volley to send the Bluebirds into the FA Cup Final.

In front of a record crowd of 89,874 fans at Wembley, City narrowly missed out on glory, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Premier League outfit Portsmouth.