YOUNG BLUEBIRDS DUMPED OUT OF VERTU TROPHY

Cardiff City have been knocked out of the Vertu Trophy after a 5-1 defeat against AFC Wimbledon this evening.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa in action.

Aron Sasu caused problems all evening for City, with Matt Turner being forced into a smart save to deny the forward in the first five minutes. Sasu would open his and Wimbledon's account for the evening just before half-time with a tidy finish.

Sasu netted just after the restart to double his tally, the ball fell to the winger on the edge of the box and his drilled effort beat Turner. Omar Bugiel soon added a third with a back post header from a corner.

It was a hat-rick for Sasu as another drilled effort beat Turner to make it four for the visitors. Sasu would score yet again, beating Turner with a header at the near post.

Luey Giles added a late consolation with a deflected free-kick, as City were knocked out of the Vertu Trophy.

Player Ratings:

Matt Turner (3.5) - Except for a decent save in the opening stages, did very little to deny Wimbledon. Has to do better for the fifth goal. Decent in possession.

Jack Kingdon (6.5) - Did well at fullback, carrying the ball well and solid in the tackle. Quietened down when moved to centre-back.

Gabriel Osho (6.5) - Was having a decent evening. Maybe a question mark if he can do more to deny the opener, but that would be harsh, I feel. Good on the ball and largely defended well.

Dylan Lawlor (4.5) - A handful of goals he needs to do better on. Spun too easily for the first. One of the only City players that looked to genuinely score, and came awfully close with a mazy run. Impressive on the ball.

Luey Giles (7) MOTM - Made the majority of City's clear-cut chances, and rewarded with a goal at the end. Some nice pieces on the ball, also.

Dakarai Mafico (4.5) - Overran and just outdone physically, really. Didn't stand a chance against such a physical side. Some nice pieces on the ball, but largely struggled.

Troy Perrett (4.5) - Same struggles as Mafico, with a goal coming from Perrett being outdone physically. Largely struggled in possession.

Joel Colwill (5) - Actively looked to make things happen, but had very little help from what was around him. Carried the ball fairly well, anonymous out of possession.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (3.5) - Really struggled. Rusty on the ball and weak out of possession. Some really silly basic errors in such an important game for Nyakuhwa. End product left a lot to be desired.

Cian Ashford (5) - Wasn't really involved a great deal, but a mixed bag when Ashford was involved. Some nice pieces but some other lazy play at times. Didn't offer a great deal out of possession.

Omari Kellyman (6) - Had to come deeper to get involved, but some nice and tidy pieces on the ball. Decent out of possession.

Subs:

Noah Williams (6) - Got forward well and added some energy down the right. Tidy in possession. Fluffed his lines with a decent chance.

Luke Pearce (5.5) - Never got into the game, and largely struggled leading the line.

Trey George (6) - A tidy cameo.

Axel Donczew (6.5) - Another promising showing from a real exciting prospect. Came so close to opening his account with a great effort. Got forward with intent and pace, looked promising.

T-Jay Parfitt (N/A)

Summary:

An largely difficult evening with positives difficult to find. Full focus on the league now!

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