Kieffer Moore Brace Makes it Tough for Wycombe

Welsh goalscoring ace Kieffer Moore grabbed two splendid goals for Cardiff City to leave Wycombe Wanderers with a mountain to climb if they are avoid relegation back to League 1 after one season in the Championship.

The sides entered the game in contrasting form. Cardiff had drawn their recent games at Reading and Brentford to see their play off hopes finally dwindle away.

Wycombe on the other hand were unbeaten in three away league games, their longest such run this season. The Chairboys were unchanged for the third consecutive game, hoping for an unlikely escape from the threat of relegation which has haunted their season.

Skipper Sean Morrison returned for the Bluebirds while Cardiff-born Joe Jacobson led out the visitors.

Neath-born Rubin Colwill started for the home side and he did well to find Josh Murphy in the opening stages but Murphy’s calmly placed shot was well fielded by visiting keeper David Stockdale.

The Bluebirds had set up in a positive looking 5-2-3 formation and with Curtis Thompson planting a header over as Wycombe attacked on 10 minutes, we found ourselves enjoying a lively encounter.

Kieffer Moore broke the deadlock on 21 minutes with a superb left footed shot following a mazy run. It was the Welsh striker’s third goal in three games, which Wales will hope he can carry into the Euros.

Marlon Pack had a glorious chance to add a second moments later but rather fluffed his lines. Trips to Accrington and Fleetwood began to beckon for Gareth Ainsworth’s side.

Curtis Nelson was booked on the half hour mark for some untidy hacking of Thompson which brought angry reactions from the visitors. Penalty shouts were waved away as Fred Onyedinma went down under the challenge of Perry Ng. At the other end, the impressive Colwill fired narrowly wide as the game continued to entertain.

The giant Uche Ikpeazu raised eyebrows with a deft turn before his shot was blocked by the home defence. Seconds later Onyedinma went close as Wycombe gave it their all.

Cardiff’s response came once more from Colwill, who glanced a header narrowly over.

Onyedinma stole possession as the interval beckoned and Morrison’s clumsy challenge on him led to a spot kick, which former Bluebird Jacobson despatched with ease. 1-1.

The first chance of the second half saw Gareth McCleary fire wide for the visitors, who had to better Derby’s result to survive.

Josh Murphy forced a corner on 55 minutes following a superb ball by Joe Ralls but it came to nothing. Murphy saw yellow for deliberately halting a counter attack as the doomsday clock ticked on for the Wanderers.

Colwill continued to catch the eye with neat touches and we also saw more from Murphy. Both were soon replaced though as Johnny Williams and Leandro Bacuna joined the action. The attention of visiting journalists remained focussed on events at Pride Park, despite a great chance for their side, which Ikpeazu could not quite force home.

Wycombe were throwing everything forward in a desperate attempt to grab a lifeline in their season but, with Williams now pulling the strings, it was that man Moore who rammed the ball home through a crowded penalty area on 70 minutes to make it an uphill task. His 20th league goal of the season.

Still the visitors pressed forward yet were grateful to Stockdale who darted out smartly to sweep up as the home side counter-attacked.

With five minutes of the 90 remaining, Marlon Pack struck the Wycombe post from distance.

Stockdale moved up for a corner during added time and almost made enough contact with the cross to inflict some damage.

Cardiff substitute Will Vaulks was sent off moments after coming on in added time, the Wales midfielder shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Thompson.

Another late corner saw all 22 men in the home penalty box. Despite a valiant effort though, the visitors went home pointless. Derby County had also lost but, if Ainsworth’s team are to survive they must win both their remaining games and hope Derby lose both theirs – and turn around a goal difference deficit of 13.

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