Cardiff City’s match-winning teenager Cian Ashford has been described as “the future of the club” by teammate Famara Diedhiou. The high praise came after Ashford scored a brilliant winner for the Bluebirds at the weekend as they beat Southampton, 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Cian Ashford scored the kind of goal his Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut reckons the teenager will never forget. “It’s a moment he’ll remember for the rest of his life,” said Bulut after Ashford’s 96th minute winner, on his first start, gave the Bluebirds a dramatic 2-1 win against play-off chasing Southampton on Saturday. The 19-year-old had only made six substitute appearances this season – four of them in cup competitions – before Saturday’s full Championship debut.

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut insists Russell Martin’s mastery over the Bluebirds has no significance as it occurred before the Turkish boss arrived in the capital. When Cardiff host promotion-chasing Southampton on Saturday, it will be an opportunity for Saints manager Martin to target his sixth consecutive win against the men in blue.

Tributes have been paid from across football to former Wales winger Leighton James who has died at the age of 71. James’ former clubs Burnley and Swansea City – where he spent 13 years of a colourful 19-year senior career – were among those to pay tribute to a gifted player who won 54 caps for his country.

Wrexham may have promotion in the bag but manager Phil Parkinson has a clear warning for any of their new global fanbase who think every season from now on will have a Hollywood ending. The “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary series has mushroomed fan groups of the Reds in the most unlikely dark corners of the football universe.

Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Wrexham could all soon be seeking compensation for changes to the FA Cup that County boss Graham Coughlan has denounced as “disastrous”. The EFL will seek compensation for its clubs over the “frustrating and disappointing” decision to scrap all FA Cup replays from next season.

Cardiff City goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is targeting three wins from their last three games as he looks to secure a spot on the plane for the Copa America this summer. The American has kept four clean sheets in 13 appearances for the Bluebirds, as is eyeing a place in the USA squad this summer, as his country host the tournament in June.

Not for the first time since he purchased Cardiff City, owner Vicent Tan has a big call to make. Does he bite the Bulut . . . or fire it? Manager Erol Bulut is out of contract at the end of the season – his sole campaign in charge – and discussions over a new deal have not really gone beyond ordering the coffees.

Erol Bulut has issued an impassioned defence of his record as Cardiff City manager as he seeks to stay in charge this summer. The Bluebirds boss has taken issue with his critics, who he claims have tried to suggest he should take little credit for the club’s improvement on last season.

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan has given a scathing assessment of his team – and questioned his own future – after they suffered a sixth successive defeat. The County boss said the club’s fans deserved better after their latest setback – a 2-1 loss at home against Tranmere Rovers. That makes it a miserable round half dozen of losses on the bounce for Newport, who only a month ago looked to have a decent outside chance of making the play-offs before their rotten run.

Ryan Reynolds has said that he and Rob McElhenney are having the “ride of our lives” following another Wrexham promotion. The Deadpool star, 47, co-owns the club with fellow Hollywood actor McElhenney. They previously secured promotion to League Two last year, and a 6-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday means they will play in League One next season, as they cannot now finish below the top three automatic promotion places.

Wrexham could be hosting a promotion party on Saturday, but manager Phil Parkinson won’t be ordering the beers and champagne just yet. The Dragons manager insists it will be business as usual before their League Two home match against Forest Green Rovers, even though Wrexham may end up celebrating back-to-back promotions for their first time in the club’s history.

Erol Bulut reckoned his team could have won more convincingly than by a single goal after they made it back-to-back away victories with a 1-0 win away at Birmingham City. The only downside for the Bluebirds boss was another injury suffered by skipper Aaron Ramsey, whose comeback match lasted only 45 minutes.

Luke Williams agreed some of the pressure has eased on Swansea City and their relegation fears – but he is demanding his team back-up their victory over Stoke City with another this weekend. The Swans head coach watched his side all but ensure their Championhsip survival after a convincing 3-0 home win on Wednesday night.

Paul Mullin has been praised for his ruthless attitude after Wrexham set up a potential promotion party this weekend. Striker Mullin scored twice as Wrexham beat play-off chasing Crawley Town 4-1 at The Racecourse on Tuesday night.

Last weekend saw an Old Firm derby to remember, a frantic 3-3 draw with a late stunner from Welsh winger Rabbi Matondo securing Rangers a vital point as they stay one point behind Celtic with a game in hand. It was a special goal, as the Wales international cut in from the left and struck a dipping, curling shot with stunning force into the far corner of the goal.

Wales goalscorers Ffion Morgan and Rachel Rowe believe new manager Rhian Wilkinson has laid solid foundations for a successful Euro qualification campaign after back-to-back victories. Morgan and Rowe were both on the scoresheet as Wales maintained a perfect start to their Euro 2025 mission with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Kosovo in Podujevo on Tuesday.

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson intends to take her time in finding a permanent replacement for Sophie Ingle as captain. Wilkinson has confirmed that Jess Fishlock will be skipper when they face Kosovo in Podujevo on Tuesday in their second Euro 2025 qualifier, but the recently-appointed Canadian boss will not name a permanent captain for “a little while”.

Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle has stepped down as captain of Wales after nine years in the role. The 32-year-old, who has won 136 international caps, led her country in their first match under new manager Rhian Wilkinson, Friday’s 4-0 Euro 2025 qualifier win over Croatia.

Luke Williams expects “blood and thunder” from Swansea City in their remaining matches after branding their display in defeat at Middlesbrough “completely unacceptable.” After three winless games since their derby day victory over Cardiff City, the Swans head coach seems to be suggesting his players have downed tools, even though the danger of relegation to League One is still evident. A dire performance in a 2-0 loss at Boro has left the club only five points above the drop zone with 15 points still up for grabs for all the clubs below them.