Full Time Match Report

The Bluebirds took on Reading at Ninian Park this afternoon, desperate for a win that would help push them away from the relegation zone.

Lennie Lawrence kept faith with the same side that had performed so well in the second half at Leicester City; indeed the sixteen-man squad was unchanged from Tuesday's match. Toni Koskela, Michael Boulding, Rhys Weston and Gary Croft were still unavailable through injury.

Reading arrived at Ninian Park in good form, unbeaten in five matches and not conceding more than one goal in a league match since 28th December. They included Martin Keown in central defence; Les Ferdinand was on the bench.

City started well and had the first shot on goal in only the second minute, Langley shooting over the bar from the right hand side of the area. That was a signal of intent from the Bluebirds and after just 12 minutes they made the breakthrough.

Vidmar was fouled close to the right touch line and from Ardley's pin point delivery, Thorne controlled on his chest before smashing an unstoppable volley past Hanemann for 1-0. Reading had tried to play the offside trap from the free kick but got it hopelessly wrong and were made to pay.

Within a minute Reading had a chance to equalise when Gabbidon was penalised for a mistimed tackle on the edge of the City area. Nicky Shorey, normally so deadly from set pieces stepped up but fired his effort into the wall. That was the only effort on goal Reading would muster in the first half as the Bluebirds took control.

The set piece delivery from Neal Ardley was outstanding all match and it led to the second goal for City after 30 minutes. His corner from the right fell to Thorne 12-yards out who struck his shot into the turf.

His effort beat Hanemann but Scotland international Graeme Murty has on hand to head the ball off the line and out of play. The respite was brief for the Royals though because from the resulting corner Cameron Jerome scored the second with a low finish when the ball fell to him on the left edge of the 6-yard box.

It was a cool finish from the young striker whose goals in recent weeks have proved to be so crucial.

Reading were visibly shaken after the two goals and struggled to create any openings going forward. Gabbidon and Collins were looking imperious at the back and Boland and Langley shielding them superbly.

The half time whistle went with the Bluebirds well in control and enjoying a 2-0 lead.

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Half Time: Cardiff City 2 - 0 Reading

Reading changed their shape and personnel at half time, bringing on Les Ferdinand and reverting to 4-3-3 with Forster playing just behind the front 2. It was City who created the first chance of the half though when Thorne rose unchallenged at the far post only to head well over.

He did much better son afterwards with a thumping volley from the right hand edge of the area that cannoned of the outside of the post. Midway through the half Ardley, who had an excellent game, had a chance when he volleyed towards goal after Thorne's knock down but his effort has scrambled away by Keown.

Danny Gabbidon was inches away from making the match safe with a 25-yard free kick, but despite getting the dip he needed on the ball, it was narrowly off target and flew just wide.

Reading played with a more direct style in the second half after the introduction of Ferdinand but they only fashioned two chances in the second half, a header by Ferdinand at the near post that flicked off the top of the bar and a last minute header by Kitson that was well saved by Neil Alexander.

The Bluebirds held on comfortably to their two goal lead though and the crowds roar when the referee blew the final whistle was enough evidence to suggest that a huge step had been taken to securing Championship status for next season.

Final Score: Cardiff City 2 - 0 Reading

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