Moore the merrier as McCarthy’s men march on

Cardiff City continued their recent form with a remarkable 4-0 victory over Preston North End.

Mick McCarthy chose the same starting line-up which had overcome Luton Town in midweek. Wales international Jonny Williams sat on the bench, still awaiting his first start in a blue shirt.

Williams’ fellow Wales international Ched Evans featured up front for the Lilywhites following his recent move from nearby Fleetwood. Former Bluebird Greg Cunningham also started.

Following a typical long throw from Will Vaulks in the opening seconds, Sean Morrison was hauled down in the box and Kieffer Moore rammed home the resulting penalty for his 14th goal of the season.

The early set back unsettled the visitors, with passes going wayward as the Bluebirds pressed. Josh Murphy offered dazzling tricks on the left flank.

Skipper Morrison almost added a second on eight minutes, forcing a smart save from Daniel Iversen in the PNE goal. Cardiff were rampant.

Evans headed straight at Dillon Phillips in the home goal as the men in green (green?) sought a foothold in the game. Moore headed over at the opposite end.

Cardiff’s pressing game continued to hold the advantage but the game entered a “stop start” phase. Vaulks worked hard to make things happen for City, continuing his recent good form. Andrew Hughes looked fortunate to escape a yellow card following a challenge from behind on the ever-threatening Moore.

Evans tried to claim handball against defender Curtis Nelson as half time neared but referee Mr Simpson saw little to justify a second spot-kick.

There had been precious little for the Preston journalists around me to write home about and, with Cardiff’s early panache having faded, the game had become rather featureless.

Amazingly though, the second half began as spectacularly as the first, Murphy oozing his way through the buttery PNE defence to score with the restart barely seconds old. A goalmouth scramble on 49 minutes almost added a third goal.

Murphy was full of beans, so it came as some surprise to this writer when he was replaced after an hour by Sheyi Ojo.

Preston found a lifeline as Wilson sent Anthony Gordon tumbling in the box. Phillips saved Paul Gallagher’s spot kick but the Bluebirds conceded a second penalty in the scramble which followed the save. Incredibly Phillips saved that too, diving low to defy Evans.

At the other end, Ojo went close as the game now exploded into life. With little time to draw breath, Marlon Pack added a third goal to follow up the rebound from a brilliant save by Daniel Iversen after a Moore header.

McCarthy replaced the impressive Moore with Mark Harris after 77 minutes and the young Welshman immediately rounded the visiting keeper to add a fourth goal with practically his first touch.

At the opposite end, Phillips continued his super show with a splendid save as substitute Tom Barkhuizen bore down on goal.

The second half had passed in the blink of an eye. Cardiff City had overwhelmed the visitors with style, team spirit and remarkable individual contributions.

McCarthy’s Men of Harlech storm on, heading to Bournemouth for a shoot out next week.

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