A second half strike from Alexander Robertson was enough to claim all three points for the Bluebirds, as the Grecians left Wales empty handed after another encouraging performance.
Exeter City travelled to the Welsh capital full of confidence after securing all three points against Barnsley last time out, while the hosts were looking to bounce back following a 2–1 defeat away at Lincoln.
Gary Caldwell named a single change in the starting eleven to face the high-flying Bluebirds, with Sonny Cox dropping out and Akeel Higgins coming into the side. Reece Cole and Carlos Mendes-Gomes were once again present on the bench, two players in latter stages of recovery from previously sustained injuries.
First Half
The Grecians were roared on by a vocal travelling support of 1,500 fans positioned behind Joe Whitworth’s goal as Cardiff applied early pressure. The hosts forced Whitworth into a flurry of saves in the opening stages, but City weathered the storm well, restricting their promotion-chasing opponents to half chances.
Exeter enjoyed a rare spell in the Cardiff final third in the 15th minute when Ilmari Niskanen’s corner caused problems at the back post. The ball eventually fell to Jack Aitchison, but his effort was blocked and the danger cleared.
Cardiff came close to opening the scoring on 18 minutes when a rare mistake from Pierce Sweeney left Isaak Davies through on goal. However, the forward snatched at the chance and Whitworth reacted superbly, saving with his feet to keep the scores level.
The City goalkeeper was called into action again moments later, diving to his right to palm away a deflected long-range effort from Omari Kellyman.
Growing in confidence, City began to assert themselves. Aitchison carried the ball forward before finding Niskanen on the right. The Fin picked out Higgins on the edge of the box, but a last-ditch Cardiff challenge denied the Grecians a clear opportunity.
This sparked a spell of Grecian dominance, with a succession of corners and probing play. Wareham and Higgins looked the most likely to break the deadlock on a bitterly cold afternoon in South Wales.
City’s best chance of the half came just before the break. Aitchison again found space in the Cardiff half and slipped the ball to Niskanen, who returned it into the Scot’s path. Aitchison struck powerfully, forcing Turner into a strong save to push the effort away.
A first half that saw the Grecians effectively nullify the pressure from the hosts and create a series of their own chances saw the scoreline level at the break.
Second Half
The second half began much like the first, with the Bluebirds pushing forward in search of a breakthrough. Exeter remained disciplined, defending resolutely and frustrating the home side.
That resistance was broken in the 52nd minute when Cian Ashford delivered a pinpoint long ball into the path of Alex Robertson, who calmly slotted past the onrushing Whitworth. Appeals for offside from the City backline were waved away as Cardiff took the lead.
Looking for a response, Caldwell introduced Reece Cole for Akeel Higgins in an attempt to unlock the Cardiff defence.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage on 69 minutes when Ashford struck the post from inside the area. The rebound fell kindly for another Cardiff player, who attempted to chip Whitworth, but the goalkeeper recovered brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar.
Cardiff continued to press, pouring men forward as they sought to kill the game. Appeals for a penalty from the home supporters on 75 minutes were dismissed by the referee as Exeter continued to battle.
With time running out, City went on the offensive. A triple substitution saw Kevin McDonald, Carlos Mendes-Gomes and Liam Oakes replace Aitchison, Doyle-Hayes and Brierley. Oakes made an immediate impact, picking up a yellow card moments after coming on.
In the closing stages, Exeter threw caution to the wind. McDonald, Mendes-Gomes and Niskanen all looked to engineer an opening, but Cardiff managed the game well.
The Grecians’ best chance of the half arrived in the 93rd minute when a cross wasn’t fully dealt with by the Cardiff defence. Reece Cole found space on the edge of the box but couldn’t keep his effort down.
A late scramble in the box provided one final opportunity, but Cardiff saw out the remaining seconds to secure the win.
Match Details
Cardiff City XI:
Turner (GK), Bagan, Wintle, Kellyman (Kpakio 79’), Chambers, Robertson (Colwill 79’), Salech, Ng (Kpakio 80'), Davies (Willock 56’), Ashford (Fish 96'), Lawlor
Cardiff City Unused Subs:
Tanner, Robinson
Goalscorers:
Robertson (53')
Yellow Cards:
Davies (56'), Bagan (87'), Chambers (89')
Exeter City XI:
Whitworth (GK), McMillan, Fitzwater, Brierley (Oakes 79’), Wareham, Aitchison (Mendes Gomes 79’), Niskanen, Higgins (Cole 65’), Woodhouse, Sweeney (c), Doyle-Hayes (McDonald 79’)
Exeter City Unused Subs:
Bycroft (GK), Francis, Swinkels
Yellow Cards:
Oakes (82')
Up Next:
From one capital city to another, City are next in action on Monday 29th December as they travel to London for a meeting with AFC Wimbledon. A short turnaround from the reverse fixture that saw the Grecians come out on top in a 1-0 win, all of the tickets have been snapped up so do not travel to this game if you don't have a ticket.
We look forward to seeing those of you making the journey on Monday night!