Luton Town 0 - 1 Cardiff City. Match Report

Last Updated : 23-Aug-2025 by BBC Sport

Cardiff City moved to the top of League One as they maintained their unbeaten start with an impressive win at Luton Town.

Both sides had chances in an entertaining game before Chris Willock scored the game's only goal in the second half to seal Cardiff's fourth win of the season.

The Bluebirds were also indebted to keeper Nathan Trott for making a series of crucial saves, including George Saville's long range effort.

It was Luton's first defeat of the season at home while Cardiff are yet to lose under new manager Brian Barry-Murphy.

Both sides, relegated from the Championship last season, came into the game having made solid starts to the new campaign.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side made a promising start and enjoyed the majority of possession, but Luton had the first real chance of note with Nahki Wells firing into the side netting.

Cardiff's response saw Callum Robinson fluff a chance from six yards out before the Republic of Ireland international tried his luck from the halfway line which Josh Keeley managed to keep out.

In an open, end-to-end game, Saville's 20-yard strike was superbly saved by Cardiff Trott, who also denied Lasse Nordas soon after.

Trott made another excellent stop four minutes into the second half to thwart ex-Bluebird Mark McGuinness' header from Kal Naismith's cross.

Luton's Keeley was penalised for a flattening the advancing Robinson, but the keeper comfortably gathered Rubin Colwill's resulting free-kick.

Cardiff finally broke the deadlock when Willock showed some neat footwork before firing past Keeley.

Former Swansea City player Jerry Yates fired a low effort wide, but Luton could not find a way back as Cardiff maintained their impressive start.

Luton Town: Keeley, Naismith, McGuinness, Alli, Walsh (Nelson 72'), Lonwijk (Kodua 58'), Clark, Nordås (Bramall 90'), Wells (Yates 58'), Saville (Baptiste 72'), Makosso. Subs Not Used: Shea, Holmes, Bramall.

Cardiff City: Trott, Kpakio, Fish, Lawlor (Chambers 70'), Bagan, Wintle, Turnbull (J.Colwill 32'), R.Colwill, Ashford, Willock (Davies 90'), Robinson (Salech 70'). Subs Not Used: Turner, Ng, King.