The FA Cup Semi Final
Barnsley 0 Cardiff City 1
6 April 2008

Attendance: 82,572

Joe Ledley’s ninth-minute volley booked Cardiff City an appearance in The FA Cup final for the first time in 81 years and finally put an end to Barnsley’s giant-killing FA Cup run that saw the Championship side triumph over both Liverpool and Chelsea.

In front of a record crowd of 82,572, Cardiff was put in front in the 9th minute after the Tykes failed to clear a long throw in by Tony Carpaldi. Cardiff winger, Joe Ledley, reacted quickly and found his way past Luke Steele, the Barnsley goalkeeper, smashing in a superb left footed volley from ten yards out into the top right hand corner.

Barnsley responded immediately after their early set back and went on to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession in the first half.

Barnsley got their first sight of goal after Jamal Campbell Ryce's persistence earned his side a corner. Brian Howard's subsequent corner was met by the towering Dennis Souza but his header went inches wide of the post.

Barnsley goal keeper Luke Steele prevented a second goal when after pushing away Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink's shot, the on-loan stopper reacted bravely to thwart Trevor Sinclair from close range.

Barnsley were creating chances themselves with the excellent Howard industrious in midfield and Campbell Ryce a particular menace on the left flank. On the other wing Martin Devaney's precise crosses gave the Yorkshire side another reason to think they could get back in the game. 

The first real chance in the second half came in the 52nd minute when Gavin Rae met Ledley’s left-wing cross with a firm header from eight yards, but the Cardiff midfielder failed to find a gap and headed the ball straight into the keepers hands.

Barnsley should have scored to level this all-Championship semi-final midway through the second half but Kayode Odejayi missed Barnsley’s opportunity of the match when charging towards the Cardiff goal he found himself one on one with the keeper only to shoot wide, finding the side netting. The Tykes would not get a better chance and with such a fantastic chance lost, the striker who scored the winner against Chelsea in the 6th round stood in disbelief with head in hands.

Minutes later, Peter Whittingham went close to giving Cardiff a second goal with a long range shot that flew inches over the crossbar.

Barnsley desperately piled forward in the latter stages of the second half in search of an equalizer but their attempts were in vain as Cardiff played out time to booked their return to Wembley for the Final in six weeks time.

After the final whistle, while the Cardiff players celebrated, Odejayi cut a forlorn figure, staring blankly into the distance. Simon Davey's South Yorkshire side's dream of an FA Cup Final place, the first since winning the trophy nine days after the sinking of the Titanic, was finally over.

Joe Ledley the player responsible for securing his side’s place in The FA Cup Final against Portsmouth on Saturday 17th May was named man of the match. Cardiff are now one step closer to being the first club from outside the top-flight to lift the FA Cup since West Ham in 1980.

Teams

Barnsley: Steele, Van Homoet, Foster, Souza, Kozluk (Butterfield 86), Campbell-Ryce, Hassell, Howard, Devaney (Leon 68), Odejayi, Ferenczi (Coulson 65).
Subs Not Used: Letheren, Togwell.

Booked: Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce.

Cardiff: Enckelman, McNaughton (Ramsey 47), Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Ledley, Rae, McPhail, Sinclair (Thompson 61), Whittingham, Hasselbaink (Scimeca 88).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.

Booked: Whittingham, McPhail.

Goals: Ledley 9.

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Kit Colours

Barnsley: Red shirts, white shorts, red socks

Cardiff City: Black shirts, black shorts, black socks