Norwich beat Cardiff to keep survival hopes alive

March 11, 2009

Every game recently has been a must win game for the Canaries, and with only nine games to go Norwich needed to pick up three points. Cardiff though were flying high, and having won their last two games this did not look like it was going to be an easy game for the struggling Norfolk team.

Norwich started the game brightly with on-loan Alan Gow having a shot saved early on. This continued with good work from Wes Hoolahan creating a chance for Sammy Clingan. However, the Northern Irishman’s shot went wide and the scores remained level at 0-0.

Norwich did not give up though, and kept up the attack on the Cardiff goal. David Mooney and Alan Gow both had chances to open the scoring, but were denied by the Bluebirds’ keeper Konstantopoulos.

Mooney has just arrived on-loan from Reading and is something of an unknown quantity, having only featured in two cup games for the Royals, so it was good to see him making a good start in the yellow and green of Norwich.

The first half was not all Norwich, and Cardiff had their own chances to go ahead in the game. Roger Johnson perhaps came closest, but David Marshall in the Norwich goal did well to keep the ball out.

It may be conincidence, but following the arrival of Ian Butterworth to the Norwich coaching team, Norwich’s defence hasd been much tighter. This needs to continue if the Canaries are to remain in the Championship, and during the first half the defence held firm. Half-time score, 0-0.

After the break Norwich picked up from where they left off and had clearly been given orders to attack. The result was an early headed effort from Hoolahan that narrowly missed the target.The provider of course was the ever impressive Lee Croft.

Norwich fans would love to see Croft stay at the club beyond this season, but his contract runs out in the summer and so far he has not yet signed a new one. Survival in the league could sway his decision and Croft is doing more than most in order to make this happen.

On 48 minutes Norwich broke the deadlock, the scorer David Mooney. The busy Hoolahan played the ball over the top of the Cardiff defence, but Konstantopoulos appeared to panic and rished out to meet the ball.

Mooney was also in pursuit though, and it was he who won the race, tucking the ball away into an unguarded Cardiff net. This was just the break Norwich needed, and Mooney was happy to take the opportunity to grab his first goal in City colours. 1-0 to Norwich.

Norwich may have gone ahead, but Cardiff did not lay down and made Marshall work when Peter Whittingham whipped in a long range free kick. Eddie Johnson too, had a good chance to score, but the score remained unchanged at 1-0.

These were nervy times for the home faithful but just before the end Norwich sealed the three points through Cody McDonald’s first goal for the club. Alan Gow provided the pass to set up the goal, and it was good to see the Rangers man put in a good performance. 2-0 to Norwich.

Only a few months ago, McDonald was playing for Dartford, so he must have been in dreamland as he tucked away the Canaries second goal of the night. Soon after this the final whistle blew and Carrow Road could breathe a sigh of relief. Final score 2-0.

This result sees Norwich move to within a point of escaping the drop zone, but things are getting very tight down at the bottom. The next game is at home to Plymouth and nothing less than a win will be acceptable.

There are now eight games left to play and this win could prove crucial. However, it will count for little if this result is not built on. This now needs to translate into momentum and an unbeaten run. It will not be easy, but for Norwich, there is still a realistic chance of staying up.

Will Sargent.

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