City History | Joe Mason's best moments
As we welcome Plymouth Argyle to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon, we take a look back at the best moments of a striker that represented both clubs.
Having come through the ranks with the Pilgrims, Joe Mason went on to represent his hometown club at First Team level between 2009 and 2011.
Impressing during his time at Home Park, the attacker became a Bluebird in July 2011 and made some fantastic memories in the Welsh capital.
We look back on his best moments for both the Pilgrims and the Bluebirds.
Making an impact at Portman Road
In his first full season with Plymouth Argyle, the side travelled to Ipswich Town in May 2010 and claimed an impressive victory.
The Pilgrims were leading 1-0 thanks to a steering header from striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, when Mason was introduced in the 70th minute.
It took just eight minutes for the striker to make a goal-scoring impact, showing his awareness in the box to tap home the second goal in a 2-0 win for Argyle.
A fightback in Doncaster
Just three games later, it was yet again a story of Mason and Wright-Phillips proving the difference for Plymouth.
Facing Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, they fell behind to James Coppinger's goal, but Mason was making a habit of netting away goals from inside the area.
Another fine substitute showing saw him level the contest, before Wright-Phillips' header in injury time gave them a dramatic win.
A dramatic comeback
Argyle went into their second game of 2011 on a positive run, having been unbeaten in their previous four matches.
That record was under severe threat, as they went 2-0 down at Bristol Rovers, with striker Will Hoskins netting twice inside the opening 11 minutes.
Much like in the previous season, Wright-Phillips and Mason inspired a stunning comeback, as the duo netted in the second half to bring the Pilgrims level. With 81 minutes on the clock, the fightback was complete, with Stéphane Zubar scoring the winner.
Brace at Hillsborough
March 2011 saw Mason produce a fine performance on the Pilgrims' travels, this time at Sheffield Wednesday.
After Bondz N'Gala had given the side the lead, the striker characteristically struck home from close-range to double the lead.
Giles Coke brought the hosts back into the game, but a fine strike from Mason restored the two-goal advantage just four minutes later, before Yannick Bolasie fired in the fourth goal from 30 yards.
First City goal
Mason joined the Bluebirds from Plymouth Argyle in July 2011, signing a three-year deal.
The striker would go on to net his first goal for the Club at Cardiff City Stadium in a 5-3 win over Barnsley in October.
After Kenny Miller had given City the lead, Mason was alert in the box to fire home a rebound to double the lead.
Midfielder Aron Gunnarsson also stood out that day, netting a fine brace, with Don Cowie scoring on the hour mark.
The following game, Mason made it two in two, scoring at Elland Road against Leeds United.
A sumptuous through ball from Peter Whittingham was chased down by the Bluebirds attacker, who rounded the goalkeeper and fired in his second league goal for the Club.
Netting at Wembley
When you speak about Mason's career in a Cardiff City shirt, there's one moment that certainly stands out.
In 2012, the Bluebirds remarkably reached the final of the League Cup, facing Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. Despite facing the Premier League giants, City's performance on the day was admirable.
Mason was played through by strike-partner Miller and calmly slotted past Pepe Reina to give the Bluebirds the lead.
After our opponents went 2-1 up in extra time, Ben Turner forced the game to a penalty shootout, with City narrowly missing out on the trophy, but Mason's strike is a real highlight of his career.
He also contributed hugely on the side's way to the final, notably settling a Round Four clash with Burnley with a moment of real quality, curling a shot into the bottom corner to earn the Bluebirds a 1-0 win.
Statement win
The following campaign was memorable for many reasons for the Bluebirds. After City had won eight of the first 12 matches, another vital victory was recorded at CCS.
Hosting Burnley, it took just three minutes for Mason to get on the scoresheet, netting from close-range to give his side the lead.
The performance on the day was full of confidence and attacking flair, with Craig Noone firing in a brilliant strike from 25 yards.
Matthew Connolly's header and Gunnarsson's calm side-footed finish completed a 4-0 victory and a clean sheet against the side who were the top scorers collectively in the league, but also individually, as striker Charlie Austin had amassed the most goals of any player in the league leading up to the game.
City's momentum continued throughout the campaign, clinching the Championship title and promotion to the top-flight.
A New Year's habit
In that 2012/13 campaign, the Bluebirds opened a new calendar year in 2013 with a trip to St Andrew's to take on Birmingham City.
With 41 minutes on the clock and the game locked without a goal, the key moment came when Mason showed great alertness to pounce on a mistake from goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The striker followed up from Craig Conway's initial effort to give City the lead, which would prove to be the difference in a 1-0 victory.
The win meant that the Bluebirds extended their lead at the top of the table to a healthy seven points.
Fast forward three years and Mason was making a habit of netting the Club's first goal of a new calendar year.
On January 2nd, 2016, the Bluebirds welcomed Blackburn Rovers to CCS and the City striker came up with the winning moment.
In similar fashion to his quick reactions to fire home in 2013, Mason was well-positioned to strike after Noone's effort was blocked.
The attacker finished his time in the Welsh capital with 109 appearances, recording 25 goals and 10 assists.