By Ben Thomas
Cardiff City began their first campaign in League One in more than two decades with a 2-1 win at the Cardiff City Stadium against Peterborough United.
The visitors opened the scoring from the penalty spot with forward Bradley Ihionvien coolly converting a dubious penalty given by referee Benjamin Speedie, before two sublime strikes from Rubin Colwill and Ronan Kpakio turned the game for Cardiff.
New manager Brian Barry-Murphy named a youthful starting XI for his first competitive match as Bluebirds boss, featuring seven academy graduates and only one player, midfielder Ryan Wintle, over the age of 23.
Colwill, captaining the side in Callum Chambers’ absence, had two chances to strike from the edge of the area but failed to trouble Nicholas Bilokapic in the Posh goal.
Against the run of play, it was the visitors who took the lead in South Wales with 33 minutes on the clock. Ihionvien converting from the penalty spot after Will Fish was adjudged to have fouled Declan Frith in the box.
The Bluebirds came close to equalising before the break, with prolific striker Yousef Salech denied from a close-range header, followed by Colwill glancing his own headed effort wide from the resulting corner.
Cardiff keeper Matt Turner was called into action late in the half, making a crucial save to deny Ihionvien a second goal, as Darren Ferguson’s side went into the break with the lead.
Cardiff wasted no time in the second half, as captain Colwill curled in a sublime free kick from range to bring the home side level in the 48th minute.
The 23-year-old came close to giving Cardiff the lead, firing first-time from an Ollie Tanner cross, but Bilokapic stood tall to make the save.
Barry-Murphy’s young guns did find themselves ahead on the hour mark as 18-year-old right back Ronan Kpakio netted his first professional goal with a well taken first time strike.
Turner produced another strong save to deny Peterborough substitute Gustav Lindgren late on, pushing the ball clear of danger to secure an opening day three points for Cardiff.
Cardiff City: Matthew Turner (GK), Ronan Kpakio, Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor (Jesper Daland 64’), Joel Bagan, Ryan Wintle, Joel Colwill (Eli King 90’), Rubin Colwill ©, Ollie Tanner (Isaak Davies 90’), Cian Ashford (Chris Willock 77’), Yousef Salech (Callum Robinson 77’).
Goals: Rubin Colwill 48’ Ronan Kpakio 60’
Peterborough United: Nicholas Bilokapic (GK), Carl Johnston ©, Archie Collins, Oscar Wallin (George Nevett 73’), Brandon Khela, Bradley Ihionvien (Gustav Lindgren 73’), Abraham Odoh, Ceclan Frith (Cian Hayes 73’), Donay O’Brien-Brady, Harley Mills, David Okagube.
Goals: Bradley Ihionvien 33’