The Bluenose Bible: Match Report Cardiff home

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Seven heaven for the Bluebirds with a win at St. Andrews

Joe Mason’s goal just before half time was enough to beat a very young Birmingham side and extend Cardiff’s lead at the top of the Championship to seven points.
Due to injuries and suspensions to their strikers, Birmingham were forced into playing with Nathan Redmond in front of a five man midfield. It worked in many ways as the link- up play between Redmond and the midfielders Hall, Morrison and Elliott was a joy to watch with great one and two touch football in the final third, but there was no poacher waiting in the box to finish the play in style.
With just minutes to play in the first half Joe Mason capitalised on a mistake by Jack Butland to score his fifth goal of the season. Following a run inside from the right wing, Craig Conway hit a low shot heading towards the bottom right corner that could only be parried by Butland and deflected off his foot into 21 year old Mason’s path.
The second half saw a lot more pressure from the Cardiff as Bellamy had a shot blocked on the line by Davies in its early stages. Hudson and Gestede also went close with headers that were sent just over the Blues’ bar.
But the Midland’s club couldn’t break through Welsh side, who were inspired by match winning performances by players such as Craig Bellamy, who ran his socks off all game and Mark Hudson, whose leadership and strong character kept Blues at bay.

Man of the match: Mark Hudson