THIRD ROUND

May 17 2008 by Steve Tucker, Western Mail

Chasetown 1 (McNaughton 17og)Cardiff 3 (Whittingham 45, Ramsey 90, Parry 73)THE neutrals were hoping for a classic cup shock with the Staffordshire minnows the lowest-ranked side to reach the third round proper.Indeed, this clash provided the widest gap in league positions between two sides to occur in the venerable competition.So when Bluebirds defender Kevin McNaughton put into his own net on 17 minutes Match of the Day producers were clearing their schedules.But a left-foot curler from Peter Whittingham just on half-time and a first Cardiff goal from teenage tyro Aaron Ramsey on the hour gave City the lead.The Bluebirds were at their most professional and competent. It only required Paul Parry to drive one home with 17 minutes left to complete the task.FOURTH ROUNDHereford 1 (Robinson 77) Cardiff 2 (McNaughton 45, Thompson 67pen))SO to Edgar Street for a bout with a once regular foe for the Bluebirds.There have been plenty of clashes between the Bluebirds and the Bulls down the years, particularly when the two clubs competed in the Welsh Cup.Fortunes had favoured Cardiff recently, but Hereford were going well in League Two.But a cracking volley by Kevin McNaughton and a cool penalty from Steve Thompson were enough for Cardiff to ease through, although a last-gasp strike from Theo Robinson made things less comfortable than City might have liked.FIFTH ROUNDCardiff 2 (Whittingham 2, Hasselbaink 11) Wolves 0A FIRST proper test for City, but the Wanderers were strangely off-colour at Ninian Park.Although they did not get much time to settle as within two minutes Peter Whittingham was put through and slotted past Wales international keeper Wayne Hennessey.Then, just nine minutes later, an absolute beauty from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink finished the scoring.The veteran threw the most extravagant of dummies and then curled it into the top corner with Hennessey grasping at air.No way back for Wolves and people were starting to take notice of Dave Jones and his men in the competition.QUARTER-FINALMiddlesbrough 0 Cardiff 2 (Whittingham 9, Johnson 23)THE Bluebirds were expected to finally bow out at their Premiership hosts, but Dave Jones’ men had different ideas.This was their finest display of the run so far, full of poise, passion and precision which Boro could not cope with.A fantastic individual effort from Peter Whittingham and a far-post header from Roger Johnson, again early on, earned the deserved victory.One was wondering which was the Premiership side and which the Championship outfit, so total was City’s domination. The Bluebirds were off to Wembley for the first time in 81 years!SEMI-FINAL:Barnsley 0 Cardiff 1 (Ledley 9)NOT the best of games, but quite frankly who cared?But the winner from home-grown youngster Joe Ledley was sublime, sending a volley back the way it had come. Technically brilliant and utterly devastating.The victory was built on some valiant defending by the Bluebirds, who, on the whole, coped with a fierce bombardment by the increasingly desperate Tykes.But Barnsley were always going to get a chance and they did. Striker Kayode Odejayi scampered through in the second half, but somehow shooting wide with the goal gaping.Phew!Cardiff 3 (Whittingham 45, Ramsey 90, Parry 73)

THE neutrals were hoping for a classic cup shock with the Staffordshire minnows the lowest-ranked side to reach the third round proper.

Indeed, this clash provided the widest gap in league positions between two sides to occur in the venerable competition.

So when Bluebirds defender Kevin McNaughton put into his own net on 17 minutes Match of the Day producers were clearing their schedules.

But a left-foot curler from Peter Whittingham just on half-time and a first Cardiff goal from teenage tyro Aaron Ramsey on the hour gave City the lead.

The Bluebirds were at their most professional and competent. It only required Paul Parry to drive one home with 17 minutes left to complete the task.

FOURTH ROUND

Hereford 1 (Robinson 77) Cardiff 2 (McNaughton 45, Thompson 67pen))SO to Edgar Street for a bout with a once regular foe for the Bluebirds.There have been plenty of clashes between the Bluebirds and the Bulls down the years, particularly when the two clubs competed in the Welsh Cup.Fortunes had favoured Cardiff recently, but Hereford were going well in League Two.But a cracking volley by Kevin McNaughton and a cool penalty from Steve Thompson were enough for Cardiff to ease through, although a last-gasp strike from Theo Robinson made things less comfortable than City might have liked.FIFTH ROUNDCardiff 2 (Whittingham 2, Hasselbaink 11) Wolves 0A FIRST proper test for City, but the Wanderers were strangely off-colour at Ninian Park.Although they did not get much time to settle as within two minutes Peter Whittingham was put through and slotted past Wales international keeper Wayne Hennessey.Then, just nine minutes later, an absolute beauty from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink finished the scoring.The veteran threw the most extravagant of dummies and then curled it into the top corner with Hennessey grasping at air.No way back for Wolves and people were starting to take notice of Dave Jones and his men in the competition.QUARTER-FINALMiddlesbrough 0 Cardiff 2 (Whittingham 9, Johnson 23)THE Bluebirds were expected to finally bow out at their Premiership hosts, but Dave Jones’ men had different ideas.This was their finest display of the run so far, full of poise, passion and precision which Boro could not cope with.A fantastic individual effort from Peter Whittingham and a far-post header from Roger Johnson, again early on, earned the deserved victory.One was wondering which was the Premiership side and which the Championship outfit, so total was City’s domination. The Bluebirds were off to Wembley for the first time in 81 years!SEMI-FINAL:Barnsley 0 Cardiff 1 (Ledley 9)NOT the best of games, but quite frankly who cared?But the winner from home-grown youngster Joe Ledley was sublime, sending a volley back the way it had come. Technically brilliant and utterly devastating.The victory was built on some valiant defending by the Bluebirds, who, on the whole, coped with a fierce bombardment by the increasingly desperate Tykes.But Barnsley were always going to get a chance and they did. Striker Kayode Odejayi scampered through in the second half, but somehow shooting wide with the goal gaping.Phew!Cardiff 2 (McNaughton 45, Thompson 67pen))

SO to Edgar Street for a bout with a once regular foe for the Bluebirds.

There have been plenty of clashes between the Bluebirds and the Bulls down the years, particularly when the two clubs competed in the Welsh Cup.

Fortunes had favoured Cardiff recently, but Hereford were going well in League Two.

But a cracking volley by Kevin McNaughton and a cool penalty from Steve Thompson were enough for Cardiff to ease through, although a last-gasp strike from Theo Robinson made things less comfortable than City might have liked.

FIFTH ROUND

Cardiff 2 (Whittingham 2, Hasselbaink 11) Wolves 0A FIRST proper test for City, but the Wanderers were strangely off-colour at Ninian Park.Although they did not get much time to settle as within two minutes Peter Whittingham was put through and slotted past Wales international keeper Wayne Hennessey.Then, just nine minutes later, an absolute beauty from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink finished the scoring.The veteran threw the most extravagant of dummies and then curled it into the top corner with Hennessey grasping at air.No way back for Wolves and people were starting to take notice of Dave Jones and his men in the competition.QUARTER-FINALMiddlesbrough 0 Cardiff 2 (Whittingham 9, Johnson 23)THE Bluebirds were expected to finally bow out at their Premiership hosts, but Dave Jones’ men had different ideas.This was their finest display of the run so far, full of poise, passion and precision which Boro could not cope with.A fantastic individual effort from Peter Whittingham and a far-post header from Roger Johnson, again early on, earned the deserved victory.One was wondering which was the Premiership side and which the Championship outfit, so total was City’s domination. The Bluebirds were off to Wembley for the first time in 81 years!SEMI-FINAL:Barnsley 0 Cardiff 1 (Ledley 9)NOT the best of games, but quite frankly who cared?But the winner from home-grown youngster Joe Ledley was sublime, sending a volley back the way it had come. Technically brilliant and utterly devastating.The victory was built on some valiant defending by the Bluebirds, who, on the whole, coped with a fierce bombardment by the increasingly desperate Tykes.But Barnsley were always going to get a chance and they did. Striker Kayode Odejayi scampered through in the second half, but somehow shooting wide with the goal gaping.Phew!Wolves 0

A FIRST proper test for City, but the Wanderers were strangely off-colour at Ninian Park.

Although they did not get much time to settle as within two minutes Peter Whittingham was put through and slotted past Wales international keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Then, just nine minutes later, an absolute beauty from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink finished the scoring.

The veteran threw the most extravagant of dummies and then curled it into the top corner with Hennessey grasping at air.

No way back for Wolves and people were starting to take notice of Dave Jones and his men in the competition.

QUARTER-FINAL

Middlesbrough 0 Cardiff 2 (Whittingham 9, Johnson 23)

THE Bluebirds were expected to finally bow out at their Premiership hosts, but Dave Jones’ men had different ideas.

This was their finest display of the run so far, full of poise, passion and precision which Boro could not cope with.

A fantastic individual effort from Peter Whittingham and a far-post header from Roger Johnson, again early on, earned the deserved victory.

One was wondering which was the Premiership side and which the Championship outfit, so total was City’s domination. The Bluebirds were off to Wembley for the first time in 81 years!

SEMI-FINAL:

Barnsley 0 Cardiff 1 (Ledley 9)

NOT the best of games, but quite frankly who cared?

But the winner from home-grown youngster Joe Ledley was sublime, sending a volley back the way it had come. Technically brilliant and utterly devastating.

The victory was built on some valiant defending by the Bluebirds, who, on the whole, coped with a fierce bombardment by the increasingly desperate Tykes.

But Barnsley were always going to get a chance and they did. Striker Kayode Odejayi scampered through in the second half, but somehow shooting wide with the goal gaping.

Phew!