HotScots were looking to build on the previous week’s demolition of league leaders Leicester. But playing against a strong wind in the first half, the Edinburgh side found themselves on the back foot against bottom side Cardiff. The visitors did manage to restrict their hosts to one shot on target – but it was enough to put the Dragons in the lead on 20 minutes, as a powerful shot from 25 yards hit the roof of the net. HotScots battled back and thought they had equalised close to half time only to see the goal chopped off for a debatable offside decision.
With the wind at their backs, HotScots started the second half still confident of turning things around. But while they dominated in terms of possession and territory, difficult conditions and some tremendous defending from the home side meant clear cut chances were few and far between. With quarter of an hour left, HotScots thought they had finally made the break-through with the ball slammed into the empty net after a free-kick was spilled by the keeper. But the referee brought celebrations to a swift halt with another offside decision which was hard to understand. HotScots continued to pile forward and hit the crossbar with a corner kick, the ball rebounding harmlessly wide.
It summed up a day on which nothing went right for the visitors. But full credit to Cardiff who showed tremendous determination and discipline to collect their first points of the season - and might even have rubbed salt in HotScots wounds by adding another goal with a couple of late counter-attacks.