by handbags_harris »
21 Jan 2015 13:45
Vivid memories of both games. My first vivid experience of a "nasty" atmosphere that permeated Ninian Park (I had done Stoke City's old Victoria Ground twice in 1993 when they were on the road to promotion amongst a 16k crowd, and 95 when we were on the way to 2nd place but no promotion but my youthful 11/12 year old recollections aren't of anything overtly intimidating about the place). I remember being caught up in that and, when we equalised, clambered up on the perimeter fencing and being told in no uncertain words from some South Wales plod to not do that again. I remember Nugent giving Cardiff the lead seconds after half time, and a quick equaliser from Carl Asaba where he outjumped the 'keeper
and nodded in. I remember Asaba hitting the post in the first half, I remember the wind playing a massive part in events between two markedly direct sides.
And then the replay, I remember heading into the South Bank and being met with a wall of Bluebirds fans, of them "sparking into life" as it were in response to the rallying cry of "En-ger-lund". I remember missles aplenty being thrown between both sets of fans, I remember one female steward being knocked out. I remember Carl Asaba missing a point blank opportunity early on. I remember Carl Dale stealing through Reading's hopelessly high back line to round Hammond in front of the Tilehurst end and slot in. I remember one hell of a bounce in response. I remember Morley's firm header just after half time equalising and the palpable relief that we were no longer being beaten by a team that had only recently disposed of their manager Russell Osman and were being caretaker managed for the umpteenth time by Kenny Hibbitt. I remember Morley hitting the upright and Stephen Lodge then blowing his final whistle immediately afterwards. I remember the penalties, Hammond diving both left and right to save the first two, only for Carl Asaba and Phil Parkinson to have their respective third and fourth efforts saved, low to famous hero of Oldham Athletic's run to the semi-final of 93/94 John Hallworth's right (Asaba) and then comfortably to his left (Parkinson). I remember Ray Houghton smashing the fifth into the top corner, I remember Hammond getting hands on the last Cardiff penalty but not enough. I remember Booty tucking away coolly, and then Hammond diving low to his right to win the tie for Reading. I remember feeling bereft of emotion, I remember thinking, despite being a comfortable distance away from the relegation zone, we had suddenly turned from a side able to compete with West Brom and QPR over Christmas to a struggling side finding difficulty in beating non-league and bottom of Division 3 opponents. We went on to lose 16 of our next 18 games and were relegated. Natch. I then remember Sheffield United in the next round, Friday 13th February 1998, and a heart breaking but inevitable late winner.
In many ways, Cardiff 98 was a fitting end to FA Cup football at Elm Park.
