Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:43 am
Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:09 am
Forever Blue wrote:Cardiff City include 3 first team players
Cardiff City’s U23 side began their pre-season tour of Devon & Cornwall with a resounding victory on Monday evening, defeating Tavistock AFC at their home ground in Langsford Park.
Andy Legg made several changes to the starting lineup that appeared against Larkhall Athletic on Friday night, and bolstered his young side with the inclusion of First Team players Alex Smithies, Lee Tomlin and Gary Madine.
City got off to a dream start thanks to an early goal from Jacob Evans, who finished smartly from inside the area within the first two minutes of play.
Gary Madine doubled City’s lead before the ten minute mark, the striker skilfully shooting towards the far post, beating the outstretched hands of the hosts’ goalkeeper.
Tavistock had their first major chance of the encounter shortly afterwards, and drove towards the visitors’ goal at speed. Alex Smithies was quick off the line to rush to the edge of his area, however, and swiftly eliminated the challenge posed by the hosts with a good save.
Two more goals in quick succession gave Madine his hat-trick, and with little over half an hour played the Bluebirds were ahead by four goals to nil.
City dominated for the remainder of the opening period, as Lee Tomlin made it five with an effort from inside the box, the ‘keeper getting only his fingertips to the ball.
Though several changes were made during the interval, the opening stages of the second half saw the visitors looking no less dangerous in attack.
City managed to extend their lead with a further two goals in the second half, beginning with Tom Sang’s long ranged effort at 55 minutes. Substitute Sam Bowen threatened with a shot from a similar distance shortly afterwards, but the effort was saved by the ‘keeper.
The visitors’ final goal of the evening came with 20 minutes remaining, as substitute Dan Griffiths won possession of the ball on the edge of the hosts’ area, beating the ‘keeper before cooly slotting home.
The match opened up again in the final fifteen minutes, as Tavistock looked to get a goal on the scoreboard. However, City’s young squad more than held their own against the older side, ensuring that a clean sheet was kept despite the threat posed by the hosts.
FINAL SCORE: TAVISTOCK AFC 0-7 CARDIFF CITY U23
Tavistock AFC: Oak, Vile, Robins, Evans, David, Daw, Hallett, Coombes, Crago (Roberts 75), Shanley. Subs: Hinds, Dwelly, Garside, Parnell, Brown.
Cardiff City U23: Smithies (Hall 60), Warnock (Pryce 46), Bagan (Williams 70), Patten (Bowen 55), Margetson (J. Davies 46), Jones (Griffiths 55), Sang (C. Davies 55), Evans (Wootton 55), Madine (46), Tomlin (46), Moore.