Cardiff march on as Wrexham woes deepen: Welsh football weekend round-up



Rhodri Evans

It was another typically busy week for the Welsh clubs competing in the EFL, with contrasting results. Cardiff City proved yet again that they are right in the promotion race in League One, while their were draws for Swansea City and Wrexham, and a defeat for Wrexham.

Bluebirds maintain unbeaten start

Cardiff continued their excellent start to the League One season, beating fellow relegated side Luton Town 0-1 on Saturday.

Chris Willock’s 68th minute goal was enough to see Cardiff through to a four win in the first five games of the season. Brian Barry-Murphy’s side now sit top of the embryonic League One table.

“We’ve got a very young squad, and I think some of the younger boys have been terrific this season,” said Cardiff wing Willock.

“There’s a good team spirit in there at the moment, a winning feeling, and we haven’t had that for a while.

“I think there’s more to come from us.”

Wrexham winless after Wednesday comeback

In stark contrast to the unbeaten start to the season from Cardiff, Wrexham have found life in the Championship to be a difficult step up.

Phil Parkinson’s side have only picked up one point in their first three matches in the division, having to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday on the weekend.

Kieffer Moore’s first half brace looked to have set Wrexham up for a moral-boosting three points, but goals from Barry Bannan and Bailey Cadamarteri levelled the game.

“All of us, we’ve got to improve, but there’s lots of positives in terms of the attacking play in each game we’ve played,” Parkinson said.

“We’ve got to look at the balance of the side and the shape of the team. Do we need to address that slightly? Do we need to look at a different profile of players within the make-up of the current shape?

“They’re all things we’re looking at as a staff and analysing what we’ve been doing.

“A lot of the reasons we’ve been creating chances and scoring is because of the shape and the expansiveness of the wingbacks. But we’ve also got to make sure that, when we come under pressure, how we need to adapt as a team – it’s something we’ve been speaking about a lot.”

Swans settle in mid-table after middling start

Swansea showed character on Saturday after trailing 0-1 against Watford and coming back to draw 1-1 thanks to an 82th minute Zan Vipotnik equalizer.

Vipotnik’s late header saw the Swans fight back to draw with Watford after teenager Nestory Irankunda’s sparkling free-kick had looked set to end the Hornets’ long wait for an away win.

“I am proud of the lads,” said Swansea boss Sheehan.

“As a manager you want a team that keeps going until the final minute and the fans felt that. There was only one team that was going to win that game.

“When we spoke at half-time we knew we going to make changes and we wanted to put our stamp on the game. We were in the ascendancy in the second half and Watford struggled to match our tempo.”

23.08.25 - Swansea City v Watford FC - SkyBet Championship - Zan Vipotnik of Swansea City celebrates scoring a goal
23.08.25 – Swansea City v Watford FC – SkyBet Championship – Zan Vipotnik of Swansea City celebrates scoring a goal.

County give up lead in home defeat

Despite an early opener from loan signing from Manchester United Habeeb Ogunneye, Newport fell to a 1-2 defeat against MK Dons, with both of the visitor’s goals coming via former Cardiff players Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Callum Paterson.

The turnaround was quick either side of halftime, with David Hughes’ side failing to see out the end of the first half.

At the other end the drama continued with Luke Offord penalised for a handball by Morland only for Bobby Kamwa to hit the post from the spot.

“I’d never criticise anyone for missing a penalty,” said Hughes.

“It takes real courage to step up and take it. It happens, so well done to Bobby for stepping up and taking it, unfortunately this time it didn’t go in.

“I’m sure it will in future.”


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