Match report for AFC St. Austell vs Cardiff City on 17 Jul 18

Cardiff City U23s continued their 100% pre-season record with a terrific turnaround against St. Austell on Tuesday, 17th July 2018.

Despite early pressure from the visitors, it was the Lilywhites who took a quick lead. Forward Liam Eddy clinically dispatched the ball into the far right corner of goal after beating his marker, with just three minutes played.

The Bluebirds responded with a chance of their own moments later. Rhys Healey attempted a ferocious strike from range which was initially parried before being gathered by the ‘keeper.

City continued to search for a leveller and were denied by sensational goalkeeping before the half-hour mark. Anthony Pilkington charged through on goal but saw his low effort timely cleared by an on-rushing Jason Chapman.

With ten minutes until the interval, St Austell were awarded a penalty. Defender Jack Bodenham was adjudged to have brought down an opposing player inside the area. Mark Goldsworthy took the spot-kick and calmly slotted home into the bottom right corner.

However, the young Bluebirds kept up the pressure and remarkably netted twice in two minutes to level the scores at the break.

First, Healey unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top right corner of goal from 30 yards.

Then, the lively James Waite surged up to the by-line before seeing his low ball bundled into the back of the net by full-back Will Tinsley.

The Bluebirds started the second half similarly to how they ended the first. Both Ciaran Brown and Cameron Coxe saw close range headers cleared before the turnaround was complete. From a counter, Healey burst down the left flank before expertly chipping over the ‘keeper - his fourth strike of this pre-season.

Chances became sparse in the latter stages of the game. Although the Bluebirds saw out the match with a fourth goal through substitute Jamie Veale. The Welshman played a quick one-two before keeping his composure to fire home from six yards.

At full-time, the Bluebirds claimed their second win in as many games since the start of their pre-season tour. They will face Porthleven away in their next test on Thursday, 19th July 2018.

St Austell: Chapman, Tinsley, Calver (Bertrand 70’), Watts, Chambers (Rogers 46’), Giles, Dingle, Reski, Eddy (Lloyd 62’), Goldsworthy (Tucker 66’), Slateford.

Subs Not Used: Mulready.

Cardiff City: Murphy, Trialist [2], Trialist [3], Evans (P. McKay 58’), Brown (Wootton 66’), Bodenham, Healey (Shaw 58’), Waite, Pilkington (Coxe 46’), Tomlin (Veale 46’), Trialist [11].

Subs Not Used: Hall.