It’s joy for the Bluebirds, but more Swans woe

AS the rain lashed down in the Welsh capital, you got the feeling it could easily have turned into one of those days.

And when a ball change was required in the second minute after the original one had burst, you really did feel the action wouldn’t be vintage.

It certainly wasn’t a game that fans will look back on in years to come, but without a win like this, there certainly won’t be the type of memories that supporters crave come the end of the season.

The Bluebirds – while cautiously aware of a Brentford side who were unbeaten in nine matches – remained intent on continuing their impressive home form and almost went ahead after visiting goalkeeper Daniel Bentley dropped a cross, but recovered in spectacular fashion to block Sol Bamba’s rasping effort from close range.

But the hosts didn’t have long to wait to give the Cardiff faithful something to cheer as the Bees failed to clear Sean Morrison’s long throw-in, and Joe Ralls was on hand to lash home the opener from 12 yards out.

It certainly settled some nerves among the home supporters, who watched on as the wind and rain swirled around the ground.

The Bees were slick in possession and drew a number of fouls from the likes of Loic Damour in the middle of the park.

And Cardiff had goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to thank for preserving their lead as he denied in-form striker Neal Maupay with his right-hand from close range.

But shortly after the half hour mark, the 16,335-strong crowd were left dumbfounded by a moment of Maupay madness.

Etheridge dallied on the ball and put skipper Sean Morrison under unnecessary pressure, and the centreback pick-pocketed.

The lively Maupay – scorer of three goals in his last four games prior to the clash in South Wales – rounded Etheridge but, with the goal at his mercy, somehow managed to fire wide of the target.

Credit to Bamba for doing all in his power to put off the French striker, but Maupay hit the headlines for all of the wrong reasons in the Welsh capital.

And as those around Cardiff City Stadium were still left scratching their heads after witnessing such an inexplicable miss from the visitors, Bruno Manga charged up the right-hand side of the penalty area before squaring to Danny Ward, and the striker stretched to turn the makeshift rightback’s cross home, doubling his side’s advantage.

It was an unusual period that summed up a bizarre match, but one that Cardiff crucially earned themselves another big three points in their quest to secure promotion into the promised land of the Premier League. They also stretched their unbeaten run at home in the league to nine games.

To their credit, Brentford flew out of the traps in the second half as they looked to give the 788 who made the trip from the English capital something to celebrate.

And in an attempt to atone for his glaring error in the first half, Maupay went close to dragging the Bees back into the match with two chances in quick succession after the restart.

Neil Warnock’s troops successfully weathered the storm as Smith went for broke, sending on Lasse Vibe and Sergi Canos just after the hour mark.

And the double substitution almost paid dividends for the away side as Canos forced a smart save from the impressive Etheridge before Joe Bennett made a vital last-ditch block on the line to preserves his side’s clean sheet.

Aron Gunnarsson, Callum Paterson and forgotten man Frederic Gounongbe were all sent on as Cardiff looked to see out the match. The latter very nearly registered his first senior Bluebirds goal late on, but failed to test Bentley, although his effort did prompt chants of “if Freddie scores, we’re on the pitch” from the Canton End.

In the grand scheme of things, there were two more goals for Cardiff to celebrate and another clean sheet in the bank. More importantly, three points.

A frustrated Smith revealed after the game that he would “want his money back” after the events that unfolded.

But – despite having a squad decimated by injuries and suspensions – the Bluebirds delivered a display that saw them register yet another tick in the win column.

Once again, Cardiff proved the Warnock Way is a winning way. And it’s certainly worth paying for right now, despite Smith’s claims.