Cardiff vs Coventry clash halted as match tannoy makes bizarre fan request
Will a spare fourth official please stand up? Those may not have been the exact words of the announcement over the tannoy, but Cardiff City had to put out a call for a replacement during their 1-1 draw against against Coventry City after just 17 minutes. Cardiff’s game against Coventry was halted due to a refereeing changeGetty Referee Geoff Eltringham began the match with the whistle in hand while James Durkin took up fourth official duties. However, Durkin was forced to take over when Eltringham pulled up lame. With Durkin now in the middle, there was no-one left to act as fourth official. As a result, an announcement was made at the Cardiff City Stadium for a volunteer from the crowd. A post from Cardiff’s X account said: “A call has also gone out at CCS for a qualified fourth official to assist our new ref. “You don’t see this everyday.” Coventry boss Frank Lampard will have hoped to use the break in action to help his team regain their composure as they fell behind after just six minutes. Cardiff’s Callum O’Dowda floated in a deep cross from the left flank and it found the head of Cian Ashford, who had made a late run into the box. Ashford’s header sailed into the direction of Robertson at the near post and he made no mistake from close range as he smashed a volley home. It was the Australian’s third league goal of the campaign and coincidentally his first since he scored against Coventry on November 30, with the clash ending in a 2-2 draw. Robertson struck for Cardiff inside six minutes to hand the Bluebirds a dream startGetty Although Lampard’s talk during the break in the first half may not have immediately resulted in an equaliser, his half-time chat certainly worked. The Sky Blues hit back at the start of the second half thanks to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. Coventry striker Ellis Simms had barged his way into Cardiff’s penalty area but had his shot deflected, only for it to land kindly in the path of Sakamoto. Lampard’s side were soon given a major advantage when Cardiff went down to 10 men shortly after Sakamoto’s strike as Callum Robinson was sent off for an elbow. Despite having the extra man, Coventry were unable to find a way through Cardiff as the contest ended 1-1. The result left Cardiff in 23rd on the table with 22 points, two away from safety. As for Coventry, they sit 14th on 29 points as Lampard continues to haul them away from danger.
Will a spare fourth official please stand up?
Those may not have been the exact words of the announcement over the tannoy, but Cardiff City had to put out a call for a replacement during their 1-1 draw against against Coventry City after just 17 minutes.
Referee Geoff Eltringham began the match with the whistle in hand while James Durkin took up fourth official duties.
However, Durkin was forced to take over when Eltringham pulled up lame.
With Durkin now in the middle, there was no-one left to act as fourth official.
As a result, an announcement was made at the Cardiff City Stadium for a volunteer from the crowd.
A post from Cardiff’s X account said: “A call has also gone out at CCS for a qualified fourth official to assist our new ref.
“You don’t see this everyday.”
Coventry boss Frank Lampard will have hoped to use the break in action to help his team regain their composure as they fell behind after just six minutes.
Cardiff’s Callum O’Dowda floated in a deep cross from the left flank and it found the head of Cian Ashford, who had made a late run into the box.
Ashford’s header sailed into the direction of Robertson at the near post and he made no mistake from close range as he smashed a volley home.
It was the Australian’s third league goal of the campaign and coincidentally his first since he scored against Coventry on November 30, with the clash ending in a 2-2 draw.
Although Lampard’s talk during the break in the first half may not have immediately resulted in an equaliser, his half-time chat certainly worked.
The Sky Blues hit back at the start of the second half thanks to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.
Coventry striker Ellis Simms had barged his way into Cardiff’s penalty area but had his shot deflected, only for it to land kindly in the path of Sakamoto.
Lampard’s side were soon given a major advantage when Cardiff went down to 10 men shortly after Sakamoto’s strike as Callum Robinson was sent off for an elbow.
Despite having the extra man, Coventry were unable to find a way through Cardiff as the contest ended 1-1.
The result left Cardiff in 23rd on the table with 22 points, two away from safety.
As for Coventry, they sit 14th on 29 points as Lampard continues to haul them away from danger.
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