Nathan Blake found a ‘spark of genius’ and sent around 20,000 Bluebirds fans into a wild frenzy.
Blakey’s curling, dipping shot left goalkeeper Tony Coton helpless and earned Cardiff City a stunning 1-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Now, almost a quarter of a century later, the Sky Blues, Premier League leaders and one of the best teams in Europe, are on their way back to South Wales for a return cup clash on Sunday (4pm).
“There are certain times when you do things off the cuff,” said Blake. “A spark of genius without knowing why or how.
“I could try that turn and shot another 100 times and it would still only work once.”
A poor clearance by Manchester City sent the ball out of play and Cohen Griffith took the throw-in which led to Blake’s winner after 64 minutes.
“I was taking the ball away from goal, but I turned a bit and whipped in a shot. I turned to see it go all the way in.
“When Cohen threw it to me I was thinking about a shot, but my back was to the goal and midfield players ran in to challenge. I slipped the ball outside the closest man and I just thought ‘shoot’.
“I know the keeper wouldn’t expect that. I dug the ball out from under my feet and went for goal.
“There was a bit of swaz, a bit of bend, on the ball and thankfully it hit the top corner.”
Blake was almost untouchable during the match, frightening the life out of Cardiff’s visitors every time he was in possession. But the skill he produced to leave three defenders in his wake and beat goalkeeper Coton with an exquisite chip was a remarkable moment.
“I can remember the noise, seeing people going absolutely crazy,” said Blake. “Ninian Park was bursting to the rafters and if you were the visiting team it was a place you didn’t want to be.
“Watching a sea of people go ballistic is a great, everlasting memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Andy Dibble, Manchester City’s back-up goalie and now on Neil Warnock’s coaching team, took over from Coton soon after Blake’s goal.
The Football Association of Wales initially refused a BBC request to televise the match, but it was later given the go-ahead when club chairman Rick Wright agreed to pay compensation to Swansea, Wrexham, Newport, Merthyr and the Welsh League in case their attendances were affected.
Goalkeeper Mark Grew’s penalty save was another crucial moment for Cardiff City and he revealed: “I had to stop them scoring because it was my mistake which led top the penalty.”
Blake applauded Grew’s spot-kick success, saying: “Grewy was a great keeper and is a great lad. He got the better of Keith Curle psychologically.”
Grew sent a clearance straight to Manchester City’s David Rocastle, ran at the heart of the Cardiff defence before Damon Searle was adjudged to have brought him down.
A beautifully judged dive to the left worked for Grew and he saved before clutching the ball to his chest as Curle followed up as the ball threatened to spill free.
“I was disappointed with my kick-out just before the penalty,” said Grew. “It was important for me to save because it would have been my fault. After all the hard work we had put in, to give it away like that would have been a crime.
“The save made up for the mistake.”
Bluebirds manager Eddie May, a master when it came tl motivating players, said: “It’s a great feeling being a giant-killer.
“We knew we could be the better team. What a fabulous win and a fabulous goal.
“I had every bit of believe in my players and they came through.”
Goalscorer Blake loved working with May, saying: “I struggled for confidence when I was younger and Eddie used to take me to his house after training and work with me to build that confidence.
“Eddie was a great manager. Superb. He looked a bit frightening, but was a caring man, gentle and understanding.
“He brought out the best in me.”
Manchester City players and staff had been given a shock when the team coach tried to turn onto Sloper Road an hour or so before kick-off in 1994.
The street was packed with Bluebirds fans and the players had to get off and walk through thousands of fans carrying their kit.
Pep Guardiola and his 2018 Sky Blues won’t be tested by difficulties like that and will be given a warm welcome by the home club.
Matchday details:
Cardiff City (4-4-2): Mark Grew, Derek Brazil, Lee Baddeley, Jason Perry, Damon Searle, Cohen Griffith, Nicky Richardson, Mark Aizlewood, Paul Millar, Nathan Blake, Gary Thompson. Substitutes not used: Tony Bird, Darren Adams, Phil Kite (gk).
Manchester City (4-4-2): Tony Coton (Andy Dibble 72); Steve Lomas, Alan Kernaghan, Keith Curle, Terry Phelan, Kare Ingebrigtsen (Mike Sheron 66), Gary Flitcroft, David Rocastle, Alfons Groenendijk, Carl Griffiths, Michael Vonk. Substitute not used: David Brightwell.
Referee: Michael Reed (Birmingham)
Attendance: 20,486.