By Harvey Toozer
Cardiff City breezed past Luton Town as academy graduate Joel Colwill shone in a 3-1 victory.
A goal and an assist for Colwill saw his side beat Jack Wilshere’s Hatters comfortably even though for much of the first-half the game was finely balanced.
It was an emphatic start from Cardiffas they had three quick-fire attempts before the 10 minute mark from Ollie Tanner (twice) and Omari Kellyman, with the latter missing from close range on his weaker right foot.
City took the lead through David Turnbull after nice work from Colwill who shielded the ball inside the box before cutting a cross back to the penalty spot which was converted expertly by the Scotsman.
A Jordan Clarke penalty in the 19th minute after Isiah Jones was wiped out by City left-back Joel Bagan levelled things up, with Bagan booked for the challenge.
But Cardiff regained the initiative in the 37th minute with a Colwill strike into the bottom corner.
The goal came from a Kacey Palmer mistake 30 yards out, with Colwill capitalising as he carried the ball into the box and converted calmly.
Perry Ng solidified the Bluebirds lead five minutes before half-time with a wonder-strike from 25 yards out.
It was Ng’s fourth goal of the season and unquestionably his best. It also put Brian Barry-Murphy’s side in a commanding position at half-time.
In fact, Cardiff could’ve gone into the half-time break three goals up as Luton defender Gabriel Oslo hit the crossbar with an attempted clearing header from a Chris Willock corner.
Despite a lacklustre first-half from the visitors, the Hatters came out with real intent in the second-half. They came closest through a shot from Jake Richards, but couldn’t reduce the deficit.
An additional bonus for Cardiff fans came the 69th minute as talisman, Rubin Colwill made his first appearance in 83 days after suffering a groin injury last November.
Cardiff came mightily close to scoring a fourth in the dying moments as substitute, Callum Robinson somehow missed from inside the six-yard box as Rubin Colwill put the chance on a plate for the striker.
But Barry-Murphy will be pleased with the way his side saw out the victory, denying Luton any shots at goal after the 60-minute mark.
The Bluebirds are now home to Wimbledon on Tuesday, and will start the match five points clear at the top of League One after nearest challengers Lincoln City were held 1-1 by high-flying Bolton Wanderers.