Terry Phillips travelled with more than 2,000 Bluebirds fans to the Severnside derby against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. The Cardiff City faithful expected a win, but could Neil Warnock’s team complete back-to-back Championship victories?
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Andy Dibble led the celebrations, punching the air time and again as he looked up to Cardiff City fans in the away end at Ashton Gate.
A couple of steps behind Dibble on the Bristol City pitch was Neil Warnock, who could scarcely have looked happier.
He restricted himself to one big arm pump, while Cwmbran-born Dibble, a boyhood Bluebirds fan who is Cardiff’s new goalkeeping coach, kept them going.
Bluebirds supporters behind a goal loved it. They were ecstatic – hugging, jumping, chanting and singing their approval.
It was a win which underlined the character and spirit in Warnock’s team. They followed a 1-0 home win against Aston Villa with a hard-fought Championship success just over the Severn Bridge.
Home fans were having fun at Cardiff’s expense when their Robins twice took the lead, but Cardiff fought back with an instinctive will-to-win which was great to witness.
Kadeem Harris, a lively, pace winger, was at fault with a mistake just before Bristol City’s second goal, but he redeemed himself with eight minutes left, darting in front of defenders to head into the corner.
At 2-2 the fiercely contested clash was in the balance, but Warnock’s men wanted more. They wanted a Championship double against Bristol City, having beaten them 2-1 at home in Warnock’s first game as manager.
Perhaps the hunger for back-to-back wins was even greater, but whatever the spur, Cardiff went for glory.
With five minutes left Matt Connolly took a throw-in on Cardiff’s right. Harris took possession and slid a pass inside for Anthony Pilkington, who checked, darted wide of a defender and smashed in a shot from 25 yards.
It was beautifully struck and Pilkington’s second goal of match flew across goalkeeper Frank Fielding and into the top corner.
The away end, a mixture of men, women and youngsters, erupted into wild celebrations. Strangers hugged each other and Cardiff club stewards who had been quietly keeping things as calm as possible watched the happy scenes in front of them.
The final whistle brought more delight for the Bluebirds faithful and they partied again, taking time out to wave goodbye to Bristol City fans leaving their seats to head home.
There was real camaraderie between Cardiff fans as they headed back to coaches, cars or trains.
I was among four guys – Lee Beames was the driver – and we chatted to long-term fans Vince Alm, Big Sam, Ketty and more on our way back to the car.
The noon kick-off meant that we were back in South Wales just over an hour later with plenty of time to reflect on a big day for the Bluebirds.
They are 18th in the Championship table after this win. Bring on Burton Albion at home next Saturday.
Warnock left Ashton Gate and headed to London for his meeting with owner Vincent Tan plus chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo.
The four men were able to relax and plan for the future knowing that Cardiff City under Warnock look a good bet to stay in the Championship this season and build for better things too come.