Skip to content

Nathan Blake: Cardiff v Man City 1994

£20.00

Our infographic football posters map out iconic sporting moments. Hang the moment Nathan Blake produced a moment of magic in the 1994 FA Cup for Cardiff against Man City - the perfect gift for any Cardiff City football fan.

Frame not included.

My favourite Goal: Words from Ben Isaacs

People always say things like this about defunct grounds but Cardiff City’s Ninian Park was properly special. In its heyday it attracted crowds in excess of 60,000 but in January 1994 the crowd was closer to 20,000. Cardiff City had landed a plum draw in the FA Cup: Manchester City. It was such a big deal that Cardiff paid other Welsh clubs compensation so that the BBC could show it live at 3pm on a Saturday.

The crowd was packed in and witnessed an old-school blood-and-thunder cup tie. It was 0-0 at half time but a moment of magic in the 64th minute would win it for the Bluebirds. Cohen Griffith found Nathan Blake with a throw in, and Blake turned past a pair of defenders in the penalty box. He then cut inside, skipped past another defender, and improbably curled into the top corner with his left foot. Cue bedlam at Ninian Park. Blake remains adamant he meant to shoot but everyone on the day thought it was a cross.

With 10 minutes left Keith Curle had the chance to level it but his tame penalty was saved by Mark Grew. The Bluebirds held on for a deserved win and the home fans celebrated with a rowdy pitch invasion – as was the style at the time.