The Bluebirds exited the Vertu Trophy at CCS on Tuesday night.
Brian Barry-Murphy selected a youthful side to face AFC Wimbledon, making ten changes from the team that beat Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
Youngster Dakarai Mafico returned to the starting XI, alongside Troy Perrett, who scored in City’s last Vertu Trophy fixture against Arsenal U21s. There was also a first senior involvement for 17-year-old Noah Williams, who was named on the bench.
AFC Wimbledon started by creating first of the chances. Aron Sasu tested Matthew Turner early in the contest, who cleared the ball from danger. The Dons’ Omar Bugiel had a chance soon after inside the box, but Turner was there once more to keep the contest level.
It was City’s turn to attack soon after, as the hosts enjoyed a bright spell on the left flank. Perrett found himself in front of goal after a bright spark but was stopped by the gloves of Joe McDonnell. Tanatswa Nyakuhwa found himself in a similar position on the left soon after, but his shot went right of the goal.
The breakthrough came for the visitors in the 29th minute. Nathan Asiimwe made a run down the right and squared it across the Bluebirds’ defence. The ball found the feet of Sasu, who poked home the opener.
Just before the break, Omari Kellyman made a clever run through the opposition’s half. The AFC Wimbledon defence was unable to clear the danger, giving Cian Ashford a chance on goal. Ashford’s effort was cleared for a throw-in, leaving the Dons ahead at the break.
It was a special night for City sub Williams, who was brought on at the start of the second half for his first senior appearance. Early in the second half, Sasu found space on the edge of the box and scored AFC Wimbledon’s second of the contest. Bugiel scored the side’s third three minutes after, before Sasu added his third in the 54th minute.
City substitute Axel Donczew made an impact following his introduction, with a right-footed shot that hit the crossbar before being saved by McDonnell. Dylan Lawlor found himself with a chance on goal five minutes after, which was saved in the bottom left corner. The visitors scored their final goal minutes later, through Sasu.
The hosts won a free kick outside the box in the closing stages of the game. 19-year-old Luey Giles stood up to take it and curled it over the visitors’ defence and into the net to score his first senior goal.
The Bluebirds return to action on Saturday at 12:30pm, when we face Huddersfield Town at Cardiff City Stadium.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-5 AFC WIMBLEDON
Cardiff City: Turner, Osho (Williams 46’), Kellyman (Pearce 46’), J. Colwill ©, Mafico, Nyakuhwa, Ashford (Donczew 67’), Lawlor (Parfitt 83’), Giles, Perrett (George 67’), Kingdon. Subs not used: Dennis, Apter.
AFC Wimbledon: McDonnell, Asiimwe, Seddon, Johnson ©, Maycock, Bugiel (Orsi 72’) , Smith, Bauer, Sasu (Nkeng 84’), Lewis (Young 86’), Jennings. Subs not used: Bishop, Reeves, Browne, Hippolyte.