Cardiff City bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup with a 4–0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Josh Windass’ opener, an unfortunate own goal from Romaine Sawyers, along with goals from Liam Palmer and Mallik Wilks, saw the hosts progress.
U21 captain Xavier Benjamin started for City, while fellow Academy prospects Joel Colwill, Cian Ashford and Cameron Antwi gained invaluable experience by featuring in the second half.
The hosts made a fast start and took the lead with two minutes on the clock, as Windass struck into the bottom corner. City reacted well and earned a penalty, as midfielder Andy Rinomhota was fouled in the area. Ryan Wintle stepped up for the Bluebirds, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Cameron Dawson.
As City continued to push forward in search of a swift equaliser, striker Kion Etete was brought down in the box for the second penalty of the afternoon. Callum Robinson stepped up this time, but Dawson was again on-hand to make the save and keep the hosts in the lead. Winger Josh Bowler orchestrated a positive attack, as he drove into the box, but fired wide of the post.
The Bluebirds continued to threaten, this time through Rubin Colwill, who similarly to Bowler, created space by driving towards the area, but his eventual shot was gathered by Dawson. City could have had a third penalty, with Etete going down in the area, but the referee adjudged there to have been no foul.
In another chance, Ollie Tanner broke into the area and crossed low for Rubin Colwill, whose effort was deflected just wide. Against the run of play, the hosts doubled their lead in the 37th minute, as a corner found its way into the net, with the final touch coming off Romaine Sawyers. A minute later, the Owls added a third, as Palmer fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, sending his side into the break with a 3-0 lead.
At the interval, U21 midfielder Joel Colwill was introduced, having impressed for Darren Purse’s side this season. City created more chances to get on the scoresheet, as Rubin Colwill forced a save from Dawson, before Robinson fired wide of the mark. Winger Tanner was next to have an effort at goal, but his strike flew past the post.
The Bluebirds opened up the hosts’ defence once more, as Rinomhota crossed for Robinson, who couldn’t quite convert from close-range. Late in proceedings, substitute Ashford went close to drawing a goal back, but fired wide of the post after being played through by Robinson. The hosts added a fourth late-on, as Wilks beat the offside trap and applied the finish.
City return to league action next Saturday, welcoming Leeds United to Cardiff City Stadium, 3pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 4-0 CARDIFF CITY
Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson, Valentín, Ihiekwe (Siqueira 83'), Bernard, Famewo, Palmer, Diaby (Shipston 61’), Musaba (Wilks 46’), Windass (Smith 73’), Gassama (James 61’), Fletcher. Subs not used: Johnson, Phuthi, Charles.
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, Benjamin (J Colwill 46’), Rinomhota, Sawyers, Wintle (C), Tanner, Bowler, R Colwill (Evans 76’), Robinson (Antwi 87'), Etete (Ashford 61’). Subs not used: Turner, Fagan-Walcott, Giles, Ralls (C), Méïté.