Venue: St James Park
Competition: EFL Trophy – Southern Group A
Attendance: 2,152
Scorer: Callum Robinson (55')
Red Card: Cian Ashford (Cardiff City, 90+5')
Cardiff City began their EFL Trophy campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Exeter City, thanks to a second-half header from Callum Robinson.
The Bluebirds fielded a youthful side, blending academy talent with experienced heads. Early chances fell to Luey Giles, whose left-footed strike was well saved by Exeter keeper Jack Bycroft. Exeter responded quickly, with Reece Cole and Kieran Wilson both going close, the latter missing a golden one-on-one opportunity.
Cardiff nearly broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, but Robinson’s low effort was denied by Bycroft. The breakthrough came in the 55th minute, when Cian Ashford delivered a dangerous cross that Robinson met with a powerful header off the underside of the bar.
Exeter pushed for an equaliser, with Jack Fitzwater having a goal ruled out for offside late on. Cardiff’s David Turnbull also came close to doubling the lead with a long-range effort that drifted wide.
The closing stages were frantic. Ashford received a second yellow card in added time, reducing Cardiff to ten men. Exeter threw everything forward, including their goalkeeper for a final corner, but Cardiff held firm to secure all three points.
Lineups
Exeter City:
Bycroft, Oakes, Sweeney, Fitzwater, Yfeko (Woodhouse 59'), Andrew (Rydel 59'), Francis, McMillan (Cox 74'), Cole (Brierley 46'), Wareham, Wilson (Oluwabori 74')
Subs Not Used: Whitworth, Cummins
Cardiff City:
Turner, Ng, Lawlor (Fish 46'), Osho (Kpakio 72'), Giles, Mafico, Turnbull, Kellyman (Perrett 35'), Nyakuhwa, Davies (Ashford 46'), Robinson (Willock 77')
Subs Not Used: Higgs, Wintle
Key Moments
- 27' – Wilson misses a one-on-one for Exeter.
- 45+2' – Robinson denied by Bycroft.
- 55' – Robinson scores with a header.
- 90+5' – Ashford sent off for Cardiff.
- 90+9' – Fitzwater’s goal ruled out for offside.
Cardiff City now sit atop their group in the EFL Trophy, while Exeter will look to bounce back in their next fixture.
