City 4 Halifax 2
Should have been a massacre but in
the end the scoreline ended up a little flattering to City. Even
so, improved home form is the least we can ask for after the horrors
of last season. With all the excitement surrounding the arrival
of Leo Fortune-West, it was something of a let down to see him
on the bench. Compensation was provided by Earnshaw. Credit to
Gould who, after both Ayre and Burrows largely squandered his
talents, has finally given Earnshaw his chance.
Gould's suggestion to Mark Hughes that Earnshaw should be on the
Welsh bench in case of emergencies is a tad premature but, all
the same, he is an entertaining and exciting talent.
Defensive frailities abounded and it was only Fortune-West's fortuitous
goal that put City back in the comfort zone. Ronnie Moore, Fortune
West's erstwhile manager at Rotherham, described Ninian Park as
a strikers' graveyard - he should know.
Moore must have put in more all action/no result performances
at Ninian Park than any other player. Some City fans have an affection
for him as some kind of glorious failure. Personally, I think
he was a git. Moore managed just two goals in season 1979-80.
Only one goal at Ninian Park. That's not funny, just embarrasing.
During his stay at Cardiff the team went nowhere.
Despite the defensive errors and the large streches of boredom
during the second-half, this result felt like a genuine turning
point.