Superb Cobblers thrash Cardiff in Carabao Cup opener

Cobblers stormed into the second round of the Carabao Cup with an impressive and well-deserved 3-0 victory over Championship side Cardiff City at the PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday.

The Bluebirds narrowly missed out on reaching the Premier League only a few short weeks ago but they were simply no match for Town as Keith Curle's men made a dream start to the new season.

An excellent first-half performance was rewarded with Smith's 34th minute penalty and it was only to get better in the second-half. Matty Warburton's dinked finish doubled the lead before Ryan Watson made certain with another fine goal.

The Cobblers may not be the finished article and will still be busy in the transfer market, but their performance here showed the value of having a clear style of play and a settled system. They were organised, well-drilled and hard-working, and that was too much for Cardiff.

The second round draw will take place on Sunday.

Curle handed debuts to six of his summer recruits, including most recent signing Ricky Korboa who played behind a front two of Smith and Warburton.

Sam Hoskins and Joe Nuttall were both absent due to injury, joining Nicky Adams, Scott Pollock and Shaun McWilliams in the treatment room.

Despite missing nine players, Cardiff fielded a strong team that was brimming with Championship experience and quality, but they were not able to assert themselves in the opening stages and had to play second fiddle to their hosts.

Ryan Watson blazed over after good pressing by the busy Christopher Missilou before Warburton spun and shot inside the box, denied only by the alert reactions of visiting goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

Cardiff's first shot came on 18 minutes as Jordi Osei-Tutu fluffed his lines in front of goal, but Cobblers were more than a match for their Championship visitors and they were full value for their lead when it came just past the half-hour mark.

An onrushing Joseph Mills was tripped by Osei-Tutu inside the box following Smith's good work on the right and the striker confidently stepped up to beat Smithies from 12 yards.

Cardiff should have equalised immediately but an unmarked Robert Glatzel headed over 12 yards out, and they were then thankful for Smithies at the other end as he was again at his best to prevent Watson from doubling Town's lead.

The hosts held sway until the break and they didn't let up in the second with Korboa turning down a decent shooting opportunity before Michael Harriman's cross flashed across the face of goal.

It wasn't long until Town doubled their lead, though, as Korboa's nicely-weighted through pass found Warburton and he produced a deft finish over Smithies.

And the home side weren't done there, adding a third goal on the hour-mark. Smith was twice involved, first holding up a long ball and then teeing up Watson, who picked out the bottom corner with a composed finish to leave the visitors stunned.

Cobblers had to ride their luck at times as Curtis Nelson and Marlon Pack squandered decent opportunities, but Cardiff just could not gain a foothold in the game and found no joy against Town's resolute back three.

The visitors pressed in the final 15 minutes but Arnold remained untroubled and the Cobblers easily saw out an impressive victory.

Cobblers: Arnold, Racic, Bolger (c), Horsfall, Harriman, Mills, Missilou, Korboa (Marshall 90), Warburton (Roberts 71), Smith (Lines 89)

Subs not used: Mitchell, Martin, Ballinger, Ballinger,

Cardiff: Smithies, Osei-Tutu, Bennett (Cunningham 67), Samba (Sang 66), Morrison (c), Bacuna, Glatzel, Murphy, Nelson, Pack, Hoilett

Subs not used: Etheridge, Flint, Bagan, D'Almeida, Evans

Referee: Darren Drysdale