Jarred Harvey’s men recorded a deserved 2-0 victory in their pre-season tour opener at Truro City on Sunday, 15th July 2018.
It was an end-to-end start at a sunny Treyew Road. The Bluebirds though, claimed the first real opportunity of the match, with four minutes played - Mark Harris heading wide of goal.
The hosts also came close to breaking the deadlock after enjoying their share of possession prior to the half hour mark. Billy Palfrey’s powerful right-footed drive narrowly missed the far post from 20 yards.
It was the travelling side that deservedly took the lead, with 35 minutes gone, as an experienced duo stamped their authority on the match. A strong counter from the Bluebirds eventually saw the ball fall to Anthony Pilkington, via Lee Tomlin. From 20 yards, the Republic of Ireland international kept his composure to curl home at the far post to make it 1-0.
The White Tigers pressed for an equaliser before the interval but they were denied by the woodwork. In first half stoppage time, Max Smallcombe’s audacious strike rattled the frame of goal from range.
The Bluebirds came out of the blocks for the second period in determined fashion and doubled their lead just three minutes after the restart. Paul McKay was played through on goal before tapping home from six yards.
With 68 minutes gone, the hosts came agonisingly close to reducing the deficit. Substitute goalkeeper Matt Hall made a sensational diving save at his near post to keep out a powerful close range header.
Chances became sparse in the closing periods with both sides also giving game time to all of their substitutes.
As the game drew to a close the referee blew his whistle for full-time. The young Bluebirds will be delighted after a winning start to their pre-season tour of Cornwall.
U23 FINAL SCORE: TRURO CITY 0-2 CARDIFF CITY
Truro City: Atkinson, Kelly, Hartridge, Palmer (Thompson 73’), Booth (Keats 73’), Palfrey (Copp 73’), Smallcombe (Harding 73’), Hunt (Riley-Lowe 73’), Gardner (Harvey 85’), Rooney, Lewington (Todd 73’). Subs Not Used: N/A.
Cardiff City: Camp (Hall 57’), Trialist [2], Coxe (Wootton 77’), Veale (Waite 46’), Brown, P. McKay, Shaw (Evans 57’), Wootton (Bodenham 46’), Pilkington (Veale 81’), Tomlin, M. Harris, (Trialist [14] 31’). Subs Not Used: N/A.