Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

(Credit: Imago / Sky Sports football)

Ben Palmer

Sat 2 August 2025 14:40, UK

Cardiff City defender Dylan Lawlor was fortunate to avoid being shown a second yellow for a “careless” foul against Peterborough United.

The Bluebirds were making their return to League One after an absence of 22 years.

The Welsh side’s summer has been mired by uncertainty, thanks to owner Vincent Tan’s reluctance to part ways with the club.

Gareth Bale made a bid for Cardiff that was summarily rejected, and amidst the turbulence, the Bluebirds have seen 11 players depart.

However, Brian Barry-Murphy’s appointment has at least afforded the club some stability, and they will be hoping that his talents can guide the club back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Cardiff took on Peterborough at their home ground, the Cardiff City Stadium, at 12.30 pm on Saturday, 2 August.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

Making only his third appearance for the Bluebirds, Lawlor was sold short by his centre-back partner Will Fish when the 22-year-old gave away possession on the halfway line.

Peterborough broke quickly, leaving the inexperienced Cardiff backline scrambling to recover.

And as the ball pinged from one attacker to another, Lawlor attempted to recover possession, but brought down Bradley Ihionvien in the process.

The young Welshman was already on a yellow card, but the ball found its way to winger Declan Frith, who was brought down by Fish in the box.

Referee Ben Speedie awarded a penalty and chose not to revisit the earlier foul that could have seen Lawlor sent off.

With 11 men on the pitch, Cardiff recovered from a losing position to claim a vital three points in their season curtain-raiser against Darren Ferguson’s men.

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, the former PGMOL chief explained why Lawlor was fortunate not to have been given a second yellow card: “Frankly, an experienced referee would award a free kick for the foul inside the “D” and issue a yellow.

“He chose to let the game carry on and then judged a careless foul inside the penalty area that was not a yellow.

“He could go back and issue a yellow card to the defender for the foul inside the penalty area.”

Related Posts