Gary Caldwell named a strong XI for the Grecians’ first Vertu Trophy match of the 2025/26 campaign, with Johnly Yefko handed his first start since January. Pierce Sweeney captained the side in a back three with Jack Fitzwater, their first partnership since a win at Cambridge in October 2024. Up front, young Scot Kieran Wilson joined Jayden Wareham, while debutant Jack Bycroft started in goal.

First half

It was Bycroft who was the first of the two keepers called into action, following a Bluebirds short-corner routine in front of the Big Bank. The ball was worked to the edge of the box for Luey Giles, who shot through a crowd of players, but Bycroft did well to get down low and hold the effort.

Almost instantly, City responded when Reece Cole won the ball back 10 yards inside Cardiff’s half. The midfielder drove into space through the caught-out defence before shooting low and hard from distance. His effort squirmed under Matthew Turner in the visitors’ goal and rolled agonisingly close to crossing the line before being smothered by the keeper.

The Grecians continued to find gaps in Cardiff’s defence, and just past the 10-minute mark Wareham had his first sight of goal. After playing a neat one-two with Sweeney, Wareham shot hard on the angle, but a slight touch from the keeper diverted the ball out for a corner.

From that corner, Fitzwater went even closer, meeting Cole’s inswinging delivery with a header that beat the keeper, only for Perry Ng to clear off the line.

The match proceeded to calm down somewhat, with both sides exchanging half-chances, Cardiff shading them with with several blocked shots until Wilson had a perfect opportunity to put City 1-0 up. Played through the Bluebirds’ high line by Cole, the forward strode goalwards and shot on the edge of the box, but his effort went narrowly wide.

Several stoppages, including an early Cardiff substation, disrupted the flow of the game heading towards the break, until, two minutes into five added on at the end of the half, Bycroft had to make another good save. 

A long ball into the six-yard box was met by the Bluebirds captain Callum Robinson, who’s first time shot was batted away by Bycroft at his near post.

Second half

Following a disrupted start to the second half, Cardiff broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the interval. A corner was swung in from the right, and at the near post Robinson headed it in off the underside of the bar.

In response, and after a several changes from the bench, City pushed forward with intent. Wilson burst into the Cardiff box and squared for McMillan, but he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet for a shot. Instead, he laid it back to Wilson, whose effort was cleared close to the goal line.

Soon after, one of those substitutes, Ethan Brierley, spurned a good chance following a slick City move. A recycled free-kick was flicked over the top by Sweeney to Wareham, who held off his man before teeing up the Brentford loanee. He struck first time, but his effort flew high into the Big Bank.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, City threw more caution to the wind. Another change from the bench, Andrew Oluwabori, created a chance for himself as he sprinted into the Bluebirds’ half, but his shot cannoned wide of the post.

Shortly after, the referee added eight minutes of stoppage time, and Cardiff’s task of defending their lead was made harder when Cian Ashford was shown a red card for two bookings, the second for kicking the ball away.

That dismissal gave City further impetus to attack, and they came agonisingly close to an equaliser when Fitzwater had a goal ruled out for offside. A deep ball into the box from Brierley was headed home by the defender, but as he wheeled away to celebrate in front of the Big Bank, the linesman’s flag cut short the jubilation.

In the dying moments, Exeter piled men forward, with Bycroft joining the attack for the final two corners, but the Grecians couldn’t force the ball over the line as their first Vertu Trophy match ended in defeat.

Up next:

City head to Stevenage this weekend as League One action resumes, before returning to SJP next Saturday to face Huddersfield Town. Get your tickets and back the team in that match now!

Exeter City XI: Bycroft, Oakes, Sweeney (C), Fitzwater, Yfeko (Woodhouse, 59'), Andrew (Rydel, 59'), McMillan (Cox, 75'), Francis, Cole (Brierley, 46'), Wilson (Oluwabori, 75'), Wareham.

Subs not used: Whitworth (GK), Oluwabori, Cox, Cummins.

Yellow cards: Fitzwater 86', Sweeney 89'

Cardiff City XI: Turner, Osho, Kellyman (Perrett, 35'), Turnball, Mafico, Nyakuhwa, Ng, Davies (Ashford, 46'), Robinson (C), Lawlor (Fish, 46'), Giles.

Subs not used: Higgs (GK), Wintle, Willock, Kpakio.

Goal: Robinson 55'

Yellow cards: Mafico 73', Ashford 89', Turnball 90+3'

Red card: Ashford 90+5'

Attendance: 2152 (562 away)