Match report

Cardiff Defeats Exeter City 1-0 in League One Clash

Cardiff
Cardiff
1–0
FT
Exeter City
Exeter City
Dec 26, 2025

Cardiff held off determined Exeter City to claim a narrow but crucial 1-0 win in League One. The decisive moment came when Alex Robertson scored with an assist from Dylan Lawlor, silencing any comeback hopes for Exeter despite several late substitutions and yellow cards.

Key Facts

  • • Alex Robertson's goal at the 53rd minute secured Cardiff's victory.
  • • I. Davies received a yellow card in the 56th minute, shortly before being substituted for C. Willock.
  • • Exeter City made multiple substitutions between the 65th and 80th minutes but could not find an equalizer.
  • • Joel Bagan was given a yellow card for time wasting at the 87th minute.

Lineups

Cardiff

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 41 M. Turner (G)
  • 38 P. Ng (D)
  • 48 D. Lawlor (D)
  • 12 C. Chambers (D)
  • 3 J. Bagan (D)
  • 6 R. Wintle (M)
  • 18 A. Robertson (M)
  • 45 C. Ashford (M)
  • 8 O. Kellyman (M)
  • 39 I. Davies (M)
  • 22 Y. Salech (F)

Substitutes

  • 2 W. Fish
  • 44 R. Kpakio
  • 27 J. Colwill
  • 14 D. Turnbull
  • 11 O. Tanner
  • 16 C. Willock
  • 47 C. Robinson

Exeter City

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Whitworth (G)
  • 26 P. Sweeney (D)
  • 5 J. Fitzwater (D)
  • 20 L. Woodhouse (D)
  • 14 I. Niskanen (M)
  • 31 J. Doyle-Hayes
  • 6 E. Brierley (M)
  • 2 J. McMillan (M)
  • 10 J. Aitchison (F)
  • 9 J. Wareham (F)
  • 17 A. Higgins

Substitutes

  • 23 J. Bycroft
  • 16 S. Swinkels
  • 34 L. Oakes
  • 29 K. McDonald
  • 8 E. Francis
  • 12 R. Cole
  • 7 C. Mendes

Timeline

  1. Cardiff
    53' Cardiff Goal · Normal Goal
    Alex Robertson · Assist: Dylan Lawlor
  2. Cardiff
    56' Cardiff Card · Yellow Card
    I. Davies

    Foul

  3. Cardiff
    57' Cardiff subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Davies · On: C. Willock
  4. Exeter City
    65' Exeter City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Higgins · On: R. Cole
  5. Cardiff
    79' Cardiff subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Alex Robertson · On: J. Colwill
  6. Cardiff
    79' Cardiff subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Kellyman · On: D. Turnbull
  7. Exeter City
    80' Exeter City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Aitchison · On: C. Mendes
  8. Exeter City
    80' Exeter City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: E. Brierley · On: L. Oakes
  9. Exeter City
    80' Exeter City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Doyle-Hayes · On: K. McDonald
  10. Exeter City
    82' Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    L. Oakes

    Foul

  11. Cardiff
    87' Cardiff Card · Yellow Card
    Joel Bagan

    Time wasting

  12. Cardiff
    89' Cardiff Card · Yellow Card
    C. Chambers
  13. Cardiff
    90'+6 Cardiff subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Ashford · On: W. Fish

Match Stats

Stat Cardiff Exeter City
Fouls 7 12
Pass Accuracy 88% 76%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 9
Corners 5 4
Total Passes 535 350
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 6 7
Shots on Target 4 1
xG 2.38 0.64
Shots off Target 3 1
Possession 60% 40%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 469 266
Shots Inside Box 7 6
Saves 1 4
Shots Outside Box 6 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Alex Robertson's goal in the 53rd minute broke the deadlock and gave Cardiff a crucial lead, setting the tone for the match.
  • ▸ Exeter City made multiple substitutions in the late stages of the game, but failed to create any significant scoring chances against Cardiff’s resilient defense.