A fabulous away win at Cardiff City saw Fulham climb six places up the Third Division table to fifteenth place.
Both teams created chances in the early changes as the game swung from end to end at Ninian Park. Phil Barber’s corner caused a bit of consternation in the Cardiff area but a white shirt was unable to force the ball home before the hosts went straight up the other end and top scorer Robert Dale rifled an effort just wide from the edge of the penalty area. Striker Dale also came close to breaking the deadlock when he headed wide from eight yards.
Fulham took the lead just after the half-hour mark. Nick Cusack was brought down by Paul Harding in a dangerous area and Rodney McAree curled a fine free-kick through a poorly prepared Bluebirds’ wall and into the net. Cardiff, who gave the returning members of the 1971 side who beat Real Madrid a rapturous reception, came out all guns blazing in the second half but failed to equalise with Dale and Tony Scally spurned good chances.
Phil Neal’s attacking approach saw the Bluebirds pushed more numbers forward than in the first period and Fulham took advantage on the counter attack. Seven minutes into the second half, Robbie Herrera’s fine through ball put Rob Scott in the clear and the forward rounded goalkeeper David Williams before brilliantly finding the net on the stretch from an acute angle. Scott then turned provider for strike partner Mike Conroy sending in a superb cross for the Scot, who finished at the third attempt after two brave blocks by Williams.
Cardiff got a goal back when Dale punished a poor defensive mistake, but that was rendered academic within a minute by Conroy, who headed home Fulham’s fourth after Scott’s long throw had been flicked on by Cusack. The visitors could have made their victory even more resounding as Scott went close to scoring again and Conroy missed a pair of chances to complete his hat-trick, but the Cottagers’ second away win of the season was richly deserved.
CARDIFF CITY: D. Williams; Brazil, Baddeley, Harding (Wigg 45), Jarman, Young, Osman, Scully (A. Scott 83), Philliskirk, Dale, Gardner. Sub (not used): Flack.
BOOKED: Osman, Scully.
GOAL: Dale (82).
FULHAM: Lange; C. Williams (Hamill 60), Herrera, Morgan, Blake; Cusack, Thomas, McAree, Barber; Conroy, R. Scott (Brooker 87). Sub (not used): Mison.
GOALS: McAree (32), Scott (52), Conroy (68, 70).
REFEREE: John Brandwood (Staffordshire).
ATTENDANCE: 3,019.
