I would guess at 200 in the away end, the home support was also very poor, probably the first sub 10,000 crowd at Ninian Park this season.
The banter between the fans was good and I have to say there was very little hostility, the Soul Crew muppets no longer able to get in the seats next to us, and a screen erected just in case any idiots do get on that corner.
On the far side of the end we were in was a large video screen, I don't recall that being there last season!
The match - well the first 45 minutes were pretty awful, apart from a moment of pure class from Knight, which unluckily saw his 30 yard shot hit the bar with the keeper well beaten. Cardiff on the other hand had 3 or 4 good chances, the nearest they got was to hit the post and Reid clearing one off the line.
The biggest problem we had was Dodd and then McShane going off injured. Sadly it looks a bad one for McShane and he could be out for up to 3 months with angle ligament damage.
We had several formations during the game - I think this is what happened
We started with:
Blayney
Dodd Butters McShane Reid
Carole Oatway Hammond Frutos
McPhee Knight
When Dodd went off we switched to
Blayney
El-Abd Butters McShane Reid
Carole Oatway Hammond Frutos
McPhee Knight
Next (after about 30 minutes when McShane went off we switched to)
Blayney
Reid Butters El-Abd Frutos
Nicolas Knight Oatway Hammond Carole
McPhee
After going 1 goal down it was
Blayney
Reid Butters El-Abd
Carole Oatway Hammond Nicolas Frutos
CKR Knight
The Cardiff goal came at the time of Frutos and Carole playing down the left. Koumas was given acres of room and he crossed for Lee to knock home.
At this stage I thought we were out of the match. Cardiff pushed forward and we didn't look threatening. McGhee switched it all round with the introduction of CKR and what a difference. The goal, a screamer from 30+ yards, was fantastic.
The 200 Albion fans danced round the terraces, and the team pushed on forward. Carole almost put us 2-1 up, but the Cardiff keeper pulled of a great diving save.
We had a free kick as the game entered injury time, but we chose to play the ball to the corner flag, get caught offside and allow Cardiff one more attack and corner. We defended it well, and the Referee finally blew his whistle for a well earned point!
After the game it was a nice leisurely stroll back to the car, what a difference to previous years. Also they played Sussex by the sea over the tannoy, perhaps things have changed for the good at last.
Blayney - 6 still doesn't look comfortable
Reid - 6 good solid display and a great goal line clearance
Dodd - 4 injury strikes again
McShane - 6 did a good job for the 30+ minutes he survived
Butters - 6 back to his more commanding self after the poor game on Sunday
Frutos - 7 great game in many different position
Carole - 7 as above
Oatway - 6 battled hard as always
Hammond - 6 another solid if unspectacular display
McPhee - 6 held the ball up well, but didn't get in any goal scoring positions
Knight - 6 battled hard, getting back to his best
El-Abd - 8 my MOTM, deserves a starting place
Nicolas - 6 put himself about
CKR - 7 cracking goal, super sub??
Mark R