Cardiff City booked a place in the Quarter-Finals of the Carabao Cup with a deserved 2-1 win over Wrexham.
Yousef Salech put City in front in the first half, before Will Fish’s second half strike saw the Bluebirds progress.
Five changes were made from our fixture against Bolton Wanderers last time out, with Ronan Kpakio, Calum Chambers, Ryan Wintle, Joel Colwill and Cian Ashford coming into the starting XI.
City made a bright start to the contest as Joel Colwill found space on the edge of the area and had an effort blocked. After a swift break at the other end, Nathan Broadhead fired narrowly wide of the post. The Bluebirds were rewarded for their positive start, taking the lead in the 13th minute. Rubin Colwill played in Omari Kellyman, whose effort was saved by goalkeeper Callum Burton, only for Salech to tap home the rebound.
Having taken the lead, Brian Barry-Murphy’s side continued to show confidence in possession and created a chance to double the advantage. Kellyman found space on the right side of the box once again, with his effort this time being parried wide by Burton. In another positive attack, Joel Bagan shrewdly played in Ashford, whose driven effort at goal was tipped over.
Rubin Colwill’s influence was again evident as he won a free-kick in a dangerous position which he stepped up to take himself. The City playmaker fired a brilliant effort onto the woodwork. After a positive first half performance, the Bluebirds went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
At the start of the second half, City went close to adding a second goal, as Rubin Colwill laid the ball off to Wintle, who struck just over. Having been introduced at the break, Kieffer Moore was on hand to equalise in the 53rd minute, heading into the net. The Bluebirds reacted well and forced a chance at the other end as a swift break forward led to Ashford having an effort saved by Burton.
After the hosts equalised, City had to overcome a short spell of pressure and did so brilliantly to regain control, which led to the Barry-Murphy’s side’s second goal. A free-kick was played short to Bagan, whose delivery was excellently finished by Fish in the 71st minute.
The Bluebirds managed the game shrewdly in the final 20 minutes to book a place in the Quarter-Finals of the Carabao Cup. Next up for City is an Emirates FA Cup clash at Peterborough United on Saturday, November 1st, 3pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: WREXHAM AFC 1-2 CARDIFF CITY
Wrexham AFC: Burton, Cleworth ©, Coady (Hardie 77’), Thomason, Dobson, Rathbone (James 46’), O’Brien, Smith (Moore 46’), Barnett (Kaboré 77’), Broadhead (Windass 46’), Longman. Subs not used: Okonkwo, Hyam, McClean, Scarr.
Cardiff City: Trott, Kpakio, Fish, Chambers ©, Bagan (Ng 82’), Wintle (Robertson 65’), J. Colwill (Robertson 65’), R. Colwill, Kellyman (Davies 46’), Ashford (Osho 88’), Salech. Subs not used: Turner, Ng, Lawlor, Mafico, Nyakuhwa.