The Bluebirds made the long trip to Colchester this evening to take on the U's in the first round of the Carling Cup, looking for a vast improvement from Saturday's defeat at Derby County.
Manager Dave Jones made three changes from the side that lost at Derby. Cox, Darlington, Ardley and Parry came out of the side, replaced by Loovens, Weston, Boland & Lee. Italian Andrea Ferretti started the match on the bench, a first appearance for the youngster in the first team squad
Phil Parkinson was forced into two changes from the side that drew 1-1 at MK Dons on Saturday.Dean Gerken replaced the suspended Aidan Davidson in goal and Kevin Watson started in midfield in place of Karl Dugurd.
The match started scrappily with neither side able to establish any firm control. Colchester were looking to hit their two target men early, City preferring to get the ball down and pass, Jason Koumas excelling on the left of midfield. For all the good possession that the Bluebirds enjoyed in the early stages, they struggled to create any good chances, but that was to change in a three minute spell just after half an hour.
In the 32nd minute the Bluebirds were awarded a penalty when Jeff Whitley, who had enjoyed a typically combative start to the match, was clearly tugged back by Kem Izzet as he burst into the area. Captain Darren Purse stepped up to slot home the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way and giving City the lead.
Three minutes the lead was doubled through Cameron Jerome who is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment. It was Alan Lee who started the move when he picked the ball up in midfield and ran at the heart of the U's defence. As he reached the area he slipped the ball through to Jerome who showed great composure to round Gerken and fire into an unguarded net.
The only sour for City was an injury to Chris Barker who hobbled off shortly before half time. He was replaced by Paul Parry in a direct swap. Parry was only on for a minute before the referee whistled for half time, bringing an end to an excellent half of football for the Bluebirds.
Half Time: Colchester United 0 - 2 Cardiff City
The home side made a change in the half time interval in a bid to change the match, former Welsh Under 21 international Gareth Williams coming on for Sam Stockley. The U's did up the tempo as they had to but didn't look capable of changing their style of hitting the front man early. Darren Purse was having an outstanding match at the heart of the defence as City comfortably soaked up anything the U's could throw at them.
At the other end City didn't create any clear cut chances in the second half. They always looked capable of raising a gear if required but were content to knock the ball around in midfield. Colchester tried to raise it in the final ten minutes of the match, bringing on two more substitutes and reverting to a 4-2-4 formation, but never threatened the City goal as they rather ran out of steam.
It was great to see a real team effort from the Bluebirds this evening, with Darren Purse and Jason Koumas really excelling. Hopefully this kind of performance can be repeated on Saturday when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Ninian Park in a 3pm kick off.
Final Score: Colchester United 0 - 2 Cardiff City
