Cardiff City beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 on Tuesday evening in a match that, despite the tight scoreline, saw the home side largely in control across ninety minutes.
Joel Colwill opened the scoring on 22 minutes, and Cardiff looked comfortable thereafter, pressing with purpose and keeping Wimbledon pinned in their own half for long stretches. Mathew Stevens was a persistent threat and came close twice before the interval, drawing saves rather than goals. Ryan Anthony Johnson's introduction into proceedings after the break added fresh urgency to the visitors, though they struggled to create anything of real substance against a settled Cardiff defence.
Perry Ng and David Turnbull both went close for the hosts around the hour mark, and it was a surprise that the margin remained so narrow. The substitutions came thick and fast in the final quarter, with Rubin Colwill, Callum Robinson and Omari Kellyman all entering the action, Cardiff seemingly content to manage the game rather than extend it.
Wimbledon's best efforts came late. Jake Reeves was involved in a flurry of activity around the 74th and 83rd minutes, and Zack Nelson forced a stop in the 86th, but Cardiff held firm.
Calum Scanlon's stoppage-time appearance brought a tidy close to the night. Cardiff take three points from a performance that was controlled if not always fluent, and Wimbledon will feel the result harsh given their second-half effort.
Recap generated from the event timeline. Editorial team review by request. How we use AI.
