Crystal Palace - 2 (Morrison 19. Ruddock 34.)
Cardiff City - 1 (Young 55.)

Palace's first win of the season sees them hold a slender lead going into the second leg of this Cup match to be held at Ninian Park. Considering the standard of play, which was not very good, we are probably lucky to be holding such a margin. It must be said though, that despite the poor level of play the goals scored were really first class, and a few more strikes like those will really see the side climbing up the table in the next few weeks. Our main problem seemed to be that the side "relaxed" during the second half, and the goal that they conceded could well come back to haunt them in the return leg.

Play kicked off, with Palace for once looking as though they meant business, making great runs down both sides of the field. The pressure on the Cardiff goal told the small but vocal crowd that the pressure would eventually tell, so it was only surprising that it took fully 19 minutes for the home side to break the deadlock. Cardiff was in possession in the Palace half of the field when Fan Zhiyi cleverly got the ball clear to Tommy Black. He in turn switched play to the left side of the field, finding Clinton Morrison roving as usual somewhere near the offside trap. Avoiding the trap Clinton still had a lot to do, but turning the defence he let leash a great shot from 18 yards out which gave Mark Walton little to do other than pick the ball up from the back of the net.

Admittedly, shortly after this Andy Legg did manage to hit a post, but most of the play was still running our way. It really seemed only a matter of time before the defence would crack once more, and it was really just a matter of being patient. Palace crowds, if nothing else, must have proved over the years that they are nothing if not patient, and their dreams were realised not long after the half hour mark, when Palace notched up a second goal, this time from a corner.

Simon Rodger, as usual, took the corner, and a diving Neil Ruddock met a good curling ball, much in the same way as he hit two good headers on Sunday. Luck was with the skipper on this occasion though, as the ball sweetly sailed home to double the lead. The score remained the same until the half time whistle, and though we could well have gone to the break much further ahead most Palace supporters would have been satisfied with the level of performance, and more than pleased with the scoreline.

The second half, as is often the case, seemed to cast a different spell over the whole game. Palace looked as though they had lost interest in the match, and Cardiff proved that they were anxious to get something to take home. A fairly low key move in the 55th minute saw Legg cross the ball into the area, and suddenly the home crowd went quiet as Scott Young calmly headed the ball home, and now there was everything to play for. Would Palace fold in the way they had in the pre-season games? The last 35 minutes would surely tell the story.

Despite still looking somewhat lethargic, Palace did manage to do enough to keep the visitors out for the rest of the game, though Josh Low came rather too close for comfort in the dying moments of the match. Whilst everyone was sure that Cardiff were lucky to go to half time only two down, they probably nearly all agreed that Palace were lucky to finish the match still ahead, albeit by only one goal. The way has been left open for Cardiff in the return leg, but considering the rate of improvement in the side since the start of the season Palace would still have to travel to Ninian Park as somewhat warm favourites.

Roll on Huddersfield on Saturday, we have a 7-1 thrashing to avenge!

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Matthew Gregg, Craig Harrison, Hayden Mullins, Fan Zhiyi, Neil Ruddock, Wayne Carlisle (Julian Gray 70), Jamie Pollock (Jamie Fullarton 82), Simon Rodger, Mikael Forssell, Clinton Morrison (Leon McKenzie 75), Tommy Black.

Substitutes not used: Dean Austin, Jamie Smith.

Cardiff City: Mark Walton, Dave Greene, Andy Legg, Willie Boland, Matt Brazier, Scott Young, Josh Low, Kevin Nugent, Paul Brayson, Mark Bonner, Daniel Gabbidon.

Substitutes not used: Rob Earnshaw, Jon Hallworth, Danny Hill, Lee Skelly, Jeff Eckhardt.

Attendance: 5,983

Referee: Mr K. Hill (Royston).