LATE UGBO HEADER STUNS DEEPDALE
- ccfcinsider
- Nov 26, 2023
- 3 min read
Cardiff City returned to winning ways as they beat Preston North End at Deepdale.
Summary:
The Bluebirds started off strong and on the front foot as Manolis Siopis had a chance held after three minutes. Freddie Woodman was called into action ten minutes later as the ball fell to Perry Ng inside the Preston box, and despite a powerful effort, Cardiff were once again denied by the busy Woodman.
Another half chance came five minutes later, but, Yakou Meite couldn't steer his header on target. The Bluebirds carried on their energetic start as Karlan Grant broke free in the Preston area, before being heckled down by Preston's Brad Potts, Erol Bulut described the tackle as an "Obvious Penalty", the referee Bobby Madley disagreed and pointed for a corner.
Madley was at the centre of attention again, as Jamilu Collins and Preston forward Ched Evans clashed, both went head-to-head before Evans went down in a heap, JC and Evans were both shown yellow, as well as Robbie Brady for his reaction to the coming together.
Both 'keepers were called into action just before the half-time whistle. Alex Runarsson held a header from Preston defender Liam Lindsay, and, Callum Robinson had his tame effort from the edge of the box claimed by Freddie Woodman.
Preston started the brighter in the second half, and reaped the rewards. A poor pass from Karlan Grant followed by poor judgment from Mark McGuinness saw Preston striker Milutin Osmajic steaming down on goal, and there was no chance he was missing, the Montenegrin's fourth goal of the season saw The Bluebirds behind, not an ideal return to the side for Alex Runarsson, who definitely should've done better.
Preston carried on the front foot, however, a poor cross from Brady saw the ball at the feet of Yakou Meite who drove up field, but, was brought down by Robbie Brady, and without hesitation Bobby Madley showed him a second yellow, and the Irish international was given his marching orders. North End were down to ten with 38 minutes remaining of the 90.
The Bluebirds were on top following the red card. A powerful strike from Yakou Meite was held by Woodman close to the hour mark. The Bluebirds came even closer to an equaliser as Karlan Grant fired narrowly wide, it just seemed it wasn't The Bluebirds' afternoon.
On 70 minutes, Rubin Colwill, Ollie Tanner and Ike Ugbo all entered the field of play, followed by Jonathan Panzo a few minutes later. A half chance from Callum Robinson didn't trouble Freddie Woodman in the Preston goal on 80 minutes.
Ryan Wintle replaced Manolis Siopis on 90 minutes as 9 minutes of added time was announced around Deepdale. In the 96th minute a corner from Ollie Tanner fell at the feet of Rubin Colwill who cut the ball back, first to the ball was Duane Holmes who cleared the ball as far as Karlan Grant, whose effort snuck inside Freddie Woodman's near post, The Bluebirds were level!
The Bluebirds had yet another corner in the last minute of play, a corner taken quickly saw Colwill find fellow substitute Ryan Wintle, who put an inch-perfect cross to find Ike Ugbo who found the back of the net with a brilliant header, which was enough for Erol Bulut's men to return to winning ways. Against the odds, The Bluebirds left Deepdale with all three points.
Next time out it's 5th place West Brom at the CCS for The Bluebirds.
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