BLUEBIRDS THROUGH TO THE THIRD ROUND

Cardiff City are through to the Third Round of the Carabao Cup after a convincing win over Cheltenham Town this evening.

Isaak Davies celebrating.

Cardiff opened the scoring early in the game with Isaak Davies netting his second of the season. A poor corner from Cheltenham fell loose to Dakarai Mafico who found Davies, the forward carried the ball the length of the pitch before finishing past Joe Day.

Yousef Salech went close twice soon after. The striker hit a low free-kick goalward but was denied by Day. The bar was next to deny Salech, after some good work from Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Salech could only divert the winger's cross onto the bar.

Calum Chambers soon doubled The Bluebirds' lead. Davies with an in swinging corner, met by the City skipper at the near post who guided the ball into the far post.

Cheltenham soon had a penalty conceded by Chambers. Lee Angol stepped up for The Robins and was denied by Matt Turner and the post. Angol had a one-on-one soon after but again was denied by Turner.

Joel Colwill wrapped up the tie six minutes into the second half. Rubin Colwill found his brother who calmly finished past Day to seal City's place in the next round.

Player Ratings:

Matt Turner (8.5) - Another spectacular goalkeeping performance. Excellent save from the spot, and made some other real good saves. Some decent distribution at times, could be a little quicker at times.

Perry Ng (7) - A fairly solid cameo. Defended well and calm in possession. Carried the ball fairly well.

Calum Chambers (8) - An excellent header for the goal. Carried the ball so well and was decent passing-wise. A very soft and suspect penalty. But on the whole, a very positive outing.

Dylan Lawlor (7) - Made a huge last ditch block in the second half. Defended well generally and took some whacks in the process. Little too calm on the ball at times. Passing was top as usual.

Joel Bagan (7) - Trademark Bagan, really. Defended well and composed on the ball. Got in some nice areas in the final third.

Dakarai Mafico (8.5) MOTM - BBM spoke so highly of Mafico as a six, and we saw tonight why. A brilliant assist, but on top of that was excellent on the ball, carrying it really well and was also really good defensively.

Joel Colwill (7.5) - Another tidy Joel Colwill performance, and great for him to get off the mark. Good in and out of possession, again.

Callum Robinson (7) - Dropped deep and affected the game in the first half. Creative spark for City really. Tidy half of football.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (7) - Some great mazy runs that almost resulted in goals, but posed a threat throughout. Defensively decent, same not to get a goal at the end.

Isaak Davies (8) - Goal and an assist in one half, and was really dangerous and direct. Did his defensive work. Encouraging outing.

Yousef Salech (7.5) - Held the ball up really well, and came really close. Dominated the Cheltenham backline. Did the hard and dirty work for others around him to benefit.

Subs:

Rubin Colwill (8) - Just makes it look so easy. Nice assist and another top performance from Colwill. Made quite a few chances and cruised past the Cheltenham team at times.

Chris Willock (7) - Decent cameo. Carried the ball quite well and got in some nice spaces. Tidy on the ball and good off the ball.

Luey Giles (6.5) - Tidy return to the side. Got forward well and defended decently.

Ronan Kpakio (6.5) - Same as Giles really, Got forward well and defended decently.

Cian Ashford - Same as Kpakio and Giles.

Summary:

As comfortable win as you'll see, really. Nice for City to advance and continue this momentum!

Instagram

Twitter