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Will Fish’s stunning volley saves League One side cardiff a place in Carabao Cup As quarter finalists wrexham Punished for his poor performance in Tuesday’s All-Wales encounter.
The Red Dragons’ dream of reaching the last eight of the competition for the first time since 1978 is dashed As an ambitious championship outfit Suffered a disappointing defeat to a subdued stock CA LS.
wrexham substitute kiefer moore The equaliser, against his former club, had taken a reasonable lead through Youssef Salech, but Cardiff were not to be denied as Fish’s fizzing finish secured a 2–1 win in the sides’ first meeting in 21 years.
Bluebirds are in quarter-final draw for first time Since they reached the final in 2011–12 After a worthy victory in North Wales.
Wrexham were criticized at the break after Phil Parkinson’s side produced a brilliant first half, with Salech scoring the early opener and the impressive Rubin Colville hitting a free-kick off the crossbar.
Substitute Moore’s lofted header breathed new life into the hosts, but Fish’s strike ensured there would be no memorable comeback story for the next ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series.
Cardiff made five changes compared to the hosts’ seven and showed more purpose from the start, taking the lead immediately after Nathan Broadhead hit the near post at the other end.
George Thomson’s poor pass under pressure was picked up by Colville in the Wrexham area, who played a smart ball to Omari Kellyman.
Callum Burton made a good save but Salech headed the loose ball across goal, prompting chants of “There’s only one team in Wales”.
Cardiff kept their foot on the gas after the 13th-minute opener. Ryan Wintle saw an effort blocked and Kellyman forced a near-post save from Burton, who brilliantly denied Cian Ashford as the hosts continued to accelerate.
The Wrexham fans were complaining and there was a collective gasp when Colville rattled the crossbar with a 25-yard free-kick.
Cardiff continued to create half-chances, before Sam Smith pulled wide for Wrexham just before the half-time break to jeers from the home support.
Parkinson switched to Matty James, Josh Windass and Moore at the break – changes that helped secure the equalizer in the 52nd minute.
Ryan Longman’s strong cross from the left struck Fish and looped perfectly past Callum Chambers for Vishal Moore to rise and head home from close range.
The goal reinvigorated the crowd and the team as Longman headed the ball wide, but City eventually regained their composure.
Ashford were denied after a mistake by George Dobson, with Colville making a daring effort and newcomer Alex Robertson seeing a strike deflected wide before his pressure in the 71st minute.
Joel Bagan sent in a cross from the left which Fish met with a powerful volley at the far post and sent the 1,249 fans wild.
Moore came very close with a header two minutes later but that was the closest Wrexham came to an equalizer as Cardiff made reasonable progress. The frustration of the Wrexham faithful could be heard again at the final whistle.
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