Cardiff City began their pre-season preparations off with a comprehensive victory over Taffs Well.
In front of a crowd of more than 2000 people, a youthful side fielded by the EFL Championship outfit, made it three wins from three in what has become an annual friendly between the two sides.
Jake Evans and Laurence Wootton scored a quick double to put Cardiff in the driving seat. Richard French though pulled one back for the FAW Championship South side. Connor Davies, Dan Griffiths and Ntanza Mayembe further added to Cardiff’s goal tally.
Cardiff handed starts to new summer recruits Curtis Nelson and Joe Day, who were signed from Oxford United and Newport County respectively. Danny Williams, Matt Hall and Ryan Pryce, all of who have played in the Welsh pyramid before also featured in Cardiff’s victory.
Former Bluebirds academy player Kieron Proctor was included in Taffs Well’s side. Lee Hartshorn who was with Pontypridd Town last season also featured for Stevie Williams’ men.
Tom Bodger, who was returning between the sticks for Taffs Well, made a good early impression. Shamar Moore tried to beat him with a low powerful shot but the Well keeper saved well.
Cardiff broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after James Waite received a slight kick in the box. Jake Evans stepped forward and sent a rooted Bodger the wrong way to open the scoring.
The Bluebirds almost doubled the score immediately after their first. James Waite in search of his own goal was denied by Bodge as he tried to touch it past the goalkeeper.
Cardiff did have their second just four minutes after their first. Jake Evans laid a pass off to Laurence Wootton who struck home from close range to give Cardiff a second.
Taffs Well sent an immediate response after conceding though. After Jacob Matthews’ deflected effort went for a corner, Well scored their first goal in three years against the Capital outfit.
Kieron Proctor crossed it into Richard French who scored with a fine acrobatic effort, beating Joe Day on his Cardiff debut.
Whilst Cardiff stuck to the traditional format of substitutes, Taffs Well opted to work with rolling subs and introduced a number of players as Stevie Williams experimented with formations.
A trialist made his impression for Cardiff as his pinpoint cross found Dan Griffiths who furthered Cardiff’s lead with an instinctive header, nutmegging Jones in the process.
Kieron Proctor almost haunted his former club with a goal. From a direct free-kick, he forced former Bangor City goalkeeper Matt Hall into a much-needed save as he shot for the top corner of the goal.
Ntanza Mayembe made it a comprehensive victory with a composed finish. Cardiff broke on the counter-attack from Taffs Well’s corner kick and goalscorer Dan Griffiths threaded through Mayembe who timed his run and rounded the goalkeeper to get on the scoresheet.
In the last act of the game, Cardiff made it a five-star victory as Mayembe turned provider, laying a pass across goal to substitute Connor Davies who tapped home from yards out.
Taffs Well: Bodger (Jones 45) Dino, O’Sullivan, Matthews (C) (Christopher 45), Garrett, Hartshorn, Proctor, Pilapal, Bertorelli (Hayward 45), French, Carey (Loss 45)
Cardiff City: Day Pryce, Bagan, Bolger, Brown, Nelson, Wootton, Evans, Moore, Waite, Williams.
Second Half XI: Day (Hall 60), Warnock, Nelson (Margetson 60), Brown (Jones 60), J.Davies, C Davies, Patten, Bowen, Mayembe, Trialist, Moore.
(Featured Image: Matthew Lofthouse)
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