City are out of the Carling Cup, losing 3-0 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time. A Vassell spot kick on 95 minutes looked to have been enough, but with McIndoe equalising from the spot just before the end of the second extra period, the game went to a shoot-out. Rovers took all their chances, City’s were all missed and the Blues interest in the Carling Cup is over.
Nedum Onuoha was controversially sent off in extra time.
The Match
Rovers quickly conceded a couple of corners, both swung in by debutant Ireland but with Dunne heading the second well wide the early danger was cleared.
The hosts best early move came from a neat interchange between McIndoe & Coppinger on the right, but Dunne easily read the move from the resulting thrown in and City cleared.
The Blues were looking to use their pace down the flanks, with Vassell on the right and Hussein on the left stretching their legs, and even Sylvain Distin putting in a cross from the left at one point.
On 12 minutes Stephen Ireland glided into the area and found Sibierski, but as he slid goalwards Rovers keeper Warrington made a good block, with the resulting corner posing no threat.
Two minutes later Rovers had a pair of corners, with Green heading just over from the second.
Great skill from Yasser Hussein on 17 minutes saw the Qatar international get a shot in on target, turning on a sixpence he shot with his left foot but Warrington got down to make a good save.
Barely a minute later the home fans were screaming for a penalty when Lewis Guy went down under a challengr from Dunne, but the referee indicated a dive and waved the protests away.
And just after 20 minutes McIndow forced a fine save from James, shotting from the left of the area but the keeper deflected away with his feet.
It was end-to-end stuff now, and Vassell tore into Rovers area on 22 minutes but Warrington dived at his feet to keep the scores level.
The game settled down a bit, but Rovers were having more of the possession and City were having to be at their most alert to fend of the home side’s forays into the City half. Reyna received the game’s first yellow card on 35 minutes for a foul on Coppinger. Albright’s header from the well-whipped in free kick was just over.
With five minutes to go Ireland curled in a free kick from the left, which eventually found Vassell but his shot had the speed taken off it by a deflection, and Warrington collected easily.
On the stroke of half time Sibierski teed up a shot for Reyna from the edge of the area, but the impressive Stephen Roberts blocked his effort.
Half time
Rovers had the first chance of the second half, when a soft back-header by Jihai went straight to McDaid, who’s left footed shot flew hard but directly at James.
Ravenhill came on for Predic on 52 minutes for the hosts, a minute after which Jihai Sun headed tamely at the Rovers keeper from a deep Hussein cross. Shortly after, some more trickery from the Qatar player on the left wing led to another cross, but this time it was Sibierski who headed softly into Warrington’s arms.
City were asserting more pressure than before the break, and on 58 minutes Warrington dived bravely at Vassell’s feet after the England striker sprinted towards to ball as it shot across the area.
Jihai Sun got a shot in on goal on 64 minutes after a period of concerted City pressure, but there was little power behind the shot and Warrington collected.
A minute later Ireland was booked for a foul on Green, after which Hussein was substituted for Lee Croft.
City had noticably upped the tempo and were applying more pressure, but were just lacking that crucial final killer ball as Rovers looked to tire as the half wore on.
Heffeman came on for Guy on 78 minutes.
City still pressed but could not break down the home defence, with Reyna firing over with three minutes left, but Rovers were barely threatening either.
But City were cursing the woodwork on full time, with Jihai Sun’s shot from an Ireland cross slamming the bar, missing out on the chance to break the home fans’ hearts at the death. Vassell also had a decent chance in stoppage time, his shot skimming across the area to mean that extra time would be required.
Extra time
Jordan replaced Reyna at the break.
And with five minutes of the extra period gone, City went ahead through a penalty kick. Dunne sprinted into the area and was brought down by McGuire. Despite the huge protests of the crowd, Vassell stepped up, and ignored the furore to slam the ball to Warrington’s right as the keeper went to his left.
But on the stroke of the extra time break, Onuoha was sent off when adjudged to have gone in with feet up on the goalkeeper. The challenge certainly warrented a booking but a straight red looked harsh, with even some of the local press thinking the big defender did not deserve to walk.
Warrington was stretchered off, poor reward for some good work on the night.
Rovers looked to press home their man advantage in the second period of extra time, and Albrighton had a great chance with six minutes left but his header from a corner went straight at James.
And with less than five minutes left, the referee gave the home side a penalty! Distin handled in the area, and McIndoe deceived James to send the home fans wild.
Replacement keeper Budtz made a great save in the dying seconds from a Vassell shot, and with the corner going safe, we were sent into the nightmare scenario of a penalty shoot out.
Penalties:
McIndoe - scores - Rovers 1-0 City
Vassell - misses (bar) - 1-0
Coppinger - scores - 2-0
Sibierski - misses (save) - 2-0
Heffeman - scores - 3-0
Dunne - misses (save & post) - 3-0
