Report: Rotated Saints see off Cardiff in chaotic cup tie

On a milestone night for several of Saints’ squad, Mateus Fernandes and Sam Amo-Ameyaw scored their first goals for the club either side of a spectacular Rubin Colwill equaliser.

An unfortunate Ronnie Edwards own goal levelled the scores again shortly after half time, before the game burst into life in an eventful encounter. 

Cameron Archer got off the mark for Saints before they were pegged back once more by Alex Robertson’s volley.

The tie was eventually put to bed in style through James Bree’s stunning half volley and Archer’s late finish.

Russell Martin stuck to his pre-match words and fielded a completely changed side for the first cup outing of the season, with competitive debuts handed to Edwards, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Nathan Wood.

First starts of the season were also given to summer arrivals Fernandes, Archer, and Charlie Taylor, as several Under-21s players were also included in the matchday squad.

Lesley Ugochukwu was an imposing figure on debut.

The opening exchanges were fairly measured in the Welsh capital, as both sides settled into the second round tie with their heavily-changed line-ups.

Youngster Tyler Dibling, on his first senior start after impressing off the bench in the Premier League, had the game’s first sighter with a low shot that was comfortable for Jak Alnwick.

Fernandes looked keen to impress on his full debut with an early burst into the penalty area, but his cutback pass evaded any pink shirts in the penalty area.

The lively Portuguese midfielder wasn’t kept quiet for too long though, as he went one better to open the scoring after 10 minutes.

Dibling laid the ball into his midfield partner’s path, and Fernandes drilled his effort low into the bottom corner before wheeling away with a passionate celebration for his maiden Southampton goal.

Mateus Fernandes roars in celebration of the opener.

Cardiff initially only mustered a tame free-kick in response, which safely rolled into Joe Lumley’s path, until a moment of magic drew them level.

Bluebirds Academy graduate Colwill picked up the ball unopposed 25 yards out, and struck a curling shot that bounced in off the underside of the crossbar with Lumley stranded.

All square with ten minutes between both sides' goals, the same pattern followed as the game ticked towards the half hour mark.

A slick team move from Russell Martin’s side was a joy to watch down the left wing as the ball moved between Fernandes, Archer, and Taylor with a single touch each.

The latter laid the ball into Amo-Ameyaw’s path and the 18-year-old capped off the passage with a precise, curled shot for the first senior goal of his career.

Saints ended the first half ahead, deservedly so on the balance of play, before the second half sparked into life.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw celebrates his first senior goal.

The hosts pulled themselves level again just three minutes into the second half when Raheem Conte drilled a cross into the area.

Joe Lumley could only parry against Ronnie Edwards’ chest as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.

From then, the game became instantly more open as both sides traded chances - if the first 50 minutes had been a steady, unassuming cup tie, the final 40 seemed anything but in comparison.

Saints regained their lead with another summer signing’s first goal; cries of shoot from the travelling fans rang out as the ball was worked across the edge of the area before Fernandes poked a pass into Archer, who spun his man and rifled home from 12 yards.

But, less than two minutes later, Cardiff were back on terms with the game’s sixth goal as substitute Robertson volleyed home from close range.

The Bluebirds had their tails up, but were unable to capitalise as Saints endured a spell of pressure before a handful of substitutes allowed momentary respite.

Adam Lallana, back for his second Southampton debut, was introduced off the bench and had an attempt from range saved comfortably.

Centre back Nathan Wood was caught in possession by Michael Reindorf but was spared his blushes by his goalkeeper as Lumley got a hand to the shot from Cian Ashford on the break.

A venomous strike from teenage Cardiff substitute Isaac Jefferies flashed past the post with the game entering the final ten minutes, and a grandstand finish seemingly on its way.

And, in stoppage time, the final crescendo arrived.

James Bree. Take a bow.

The hosts couldn’t clear a late corner as the ball bounced to James Bree at the edge of the area, and the full-back’s dipping volley found the top corner to take the roof off the away end.

Further gloss was added when Archer scored his second, and Saints’ fifth, with a low, angled finish that sealed a hard-earned progression to the third round.

Cardiff City: Alnwick (c), Goutas, Bagan, Colwill (Twose 63), Fagan-Walcott, Rinomhota, Conte, Gbadehan (Robertson 46), Kpakio (Jefferies 78), Ashford, Reindorf.

Subs not used: Turner, Davies, Giles, Mafico, Nyakuhwa, Wigley.

Goals: Colwill 21, Edwards (OG) 48, Robertson 47.

Yellow Cards: Colwill 36.

Saints: Lumley, Bree, Woods, Edwards (Akachukwu 86), Taylor (c), Ugochukwu (Bella-Kotchap 64), Fernandes (Lallana 64), Dibling (O'Brien-Whitmarsh 90+5), Edozie, Archer, Amo-Ameyaw (Larios 90+5).

Subs not used: McCarthy, Manning, Moore, Robinson.

Goals: Fernandes 10, Amo-Ameyaw 30, Archer 55, 90+4, Bree 90+1.

Yellow Cards: Bree 69, Wood 73.

Referee: Tom Nield

Attendance: 7225.