Cardiff City returned to the top of League One with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Mansfield Town, rounding off a dominant display with two late goals to send the Cardiff City Stadium into full voice.
Will Fish, Yousef Salech and Cian Ashford were all on the scoresheet in what was ultimately a comfortable win in front of a home crowd in the league for the first time since mid-October.
Brian Barry-Murphy’s side were in control from the first whistle but had to stay patient before finally putting the visitors away in an impressive second-half showing.
City carved out chance after chance in the opening period, with Ryan Wintle at the heart of everything positive. The midfielder repeatedly picked out Salech with laser-guided diagonals, the striker going close on several occasions as Mansfield clung on.
David Turnbull also forced Liam Roberts into a full-stretch save with a bending 30-yard strike as the pressure mounted.
The breakthrough arrived on 34 minutes, and it came from a set piece. Joel Bagan whipped in a wicked corner to the near post and Fish reacted quickest, glancing a firm header into the bottom corner for his first league goal in City colours. It was no less than Cardiff deserved after a half in which they monopolised territory and tempo.
Mansfield offered their best moments early in the second half, testing Nathan Trott through Deji Oshilaja’s low effort before Will Evans turned one just wide, though the flag was already raised. But once Cardiff weathered that brief spell, they took complete control.
The second goal, when it came, was a slick team move. Substitute Ronan Kpakio made an instant impact after being introduced on the hour, racing onto Dylan Lawlor’s superb lofted ball before lifting a delicate cross to
Read more on walesonline.co.uk
walesonline.co.uk
