Cardiff City extended their unbeaten run to a club record-equalling 12 matches with a ruthless 4-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday evening, maintaining their four-point advantage at the summit of League One and moving ever closer to securing automatic promotion to the Championship.
Joel Colwill’s composed finish from Alex Robertson’s set-piece corner inaugurated a Cardiff performance of such precision that Wimbledon’s resistance crumbled entirely following the interval. Goals from Perry Ng, Ollie Tanner, and Omari Kellyman completed a rout that underlined precisely why Brian Barry-Murphy’s Bluebirds have emerged as such formidable promotion contenders.
Colwill’s Clinical Opener Sets Tone
Cardiff began with characteristic intensity and purpose, and were rewarded for their early dominance when Colwill met Robertson’s perfectly weighted corner with a rising first-time finish that crashed into the roof of the net past Nathan Bishop with precision.
Wimbledon’s threat remained peripheral throughout the opening half-hour, though Callum Maycock might have troubled Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott following an Alex Robertson defensive lapse in the opening minutes. However, the visitors’ resistance proved considerably more resilient than their earlier setbacks might suggest, and Matty Stevens claimed a thoroughly undeserved equaliser in stoppage time when Steve Seddon’s free-kick delivery found the forward unmarked at the back post, allowing him to volley past Trott with a strike of genuine technical quality.
The equaliser proved frustrating for Cardiff, who had dominated possession and created numerous opportunities to extend their lead prior to the interval. Yet rather than destabilising Barry-Murphy’s side, the goal appeared to sharpen their focus and reinvigorate their attacking intent heading into the second half.
Last night's opening goal, scored by @joelcolwill 👌#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/iT2a2gI4G1
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 18, 2026
Second-Half Onslaught
Any prospect of a genuine Wimbledon comeback was dealt a significant blow by the 58th minute mark. Perry Ng rose above the Wimbledon defence to meet Tanner’s corner delivery with a header past Dons keeper Bishop, who perhaps would've been expected to deal with the effort in a better way, as he found himself entirely powerless to prevent the ball rocketing into the roof of the net, with some help from the head of Will Fish.
The two-goal advantage was nearly completed within moments when Colwill nearly registered a second, only for an offside flag to curtail his celebrations. However, the reprieve proved temporary, with Ng providing the assist just three minutes later when Tanner, afforded ample time and space on the edge of the penalty area, executed a first-time left-footed strike into the bottom corner that effectively ended the contest.
From that juncture forward, the contest deteriorated into an exercise in game management for Cardiff, with Wimbledon struggling to manufacture any genuine attacking chances. Tanner nearly added a remarkable solo goal following a 30-yard run through Wimbledon’s midfield, whilst Kellyman tested Bishop on multiple occasions before finally claiming his goal in the 87th minute.
The fourth arrived following excellent work by substitute Callum Robinson, whose reverse pass released Kellyman into the penalty area, affording the Chelsea loanee the opportunity to exhibit his finishing prowess with a composed left-footed strike that epitomised his growing confidence in an attacking role.
Perry turns provider for Ollie to fire home his first strike of the season! 💙
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 18, 2026
The winger has 10 goal contributions in 15 @SkyBetLeagueOne appearances 👊#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/9eWOoIaSVW
Promotion Perspective
With 69 points from 32 matches, Cardiff’s position at the summit appears increasingly unassailable. Lincoln City’s 65 points—trailing by four—represent the only realistic competitive threat, though the Imps’ fixture congestion and Cardiff’s evident form trajectory suggest the Bluebirds’ promotion destiny lies firmly in their own hands.
The 13-point gap between Cardiff and the play-off places underscores the gulf between the genuine promotion contenders and the chasing pack. With 14 matches remaining, Barry-Murphy’s squad require merely consistent execution to secure automatic promotion and a return to the Championship following their relegation the season prior.
Bite-size highlights 📺
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 18, 2026
Extended highlights 💙
The full 90 ⚽️
Watch every second of last night's 4-1 win on @CardiffCityTV 👉 https://t.co/6AaSCbMOnY#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/dbdBIVV0Ee
What’s Next?
Cardiff now travel to Home Park on Saturday for a 12:30pm kickoff against Plymouth Argyle, where Tom Cleverley's Pilgrims provide the opposition in what represents another crucial fixture in the Bluebirds’ promotion campaign. Plymouth currently occupy 12th position with 43 points from 32 matches and have demonstrated some real character in the last week, which has seen them shoot up the table despite their poor start to the campaign. Although, their overall inconsistency suggests they lack the discipline required to truly trouble the Bluebirds.
For Barry-Murphy and his squad, victory at Plymouth would represent six consecutive wins and further distance the champions-in-waiting from their competitors. With automatic promotion now appearing inevitable rather than merely probable, the manager’s focus must shift toward maintaining momentum and ensuring his players arrive at the season’s conclusion in peak condition.
