Penybont FC 1, Cardiff City (u-23) 4
Andy Legg’s Bluebirds under-23 team powered to victory against JD Cymru Championship team Penybont and completed an unbeaten pre-season record.
Cardiff City played eight fixtures at under-23 level, winning six and drawing two.
They outplayed Penybont and won thanks to goals from Danny Williams, James Waite, Shamar Moore and Ntazana Mayembe.
It was an impressive performance by the young Bluebirds at Kymco Stadium against a Penybont team who had won 2-0 at Merthyr Town in their previous fixture.
Central defender Jack Bodenham was a rock for City at the heart of defence, while Shamar Moore posed a big threat in attack.
Waite scoured City’s first goal after good work by Ntazana Mayembe (15 mins), while Moore made it 2-0 after a superb piece of skill when he beat a defender and the ‘keeper before striking home (33 mins).
👀 @james_waite10 #CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/SuuA71Amyw
— Cardiff City Academy (@CF11Academy) August 7, 2019
Mayembe added a third after 38 minutes, scoring from long range with a low shot which flew across the goalkeeper and inside the far post.
Penybont pulled a goal back just before the hour when Curtis Hudson tapped in following a goalmouth scramble and the home team went close again, but were denied by an outstanding save by goalkeeper Warren Burwood.
Cardiff scored their fourth goal when a sublime pass down the middle sent Williams free and he finish with some style.
The young Bluebirds start their Professional Development League under-23 fixtures when Sheffield United visit Cardiff International Sports Campus on Monday, August 12 (1pm).
Cardiff City u-23: Warren Burwood, Ryan Pryce (Trystan Jones 60), Joel Bagan, Keenan Patten (William Warnock 46), Ryan Reynolds (Laurence Wootton 46), Jack Bodenham, Mayembe (Jake Evans 46), Tavio Dalmaida (Sam Bowen 46), Shamar Moore (Sion Spence 46), James Waite (Dan Williams 46), Sion Spence. Subs not used: Jamie Cogman (gk).
Cardiff City pre-season results for under-23 and under-18 teams:
Under-18: NK Radomjie 1, Cardiff City 3; Leicester City 4, Cardiff City 6; Cardiff City 1, AFC Bournemouth 2; Westfields FC 4, Cardiff City 4 (Bluebirds won 7-6 on penalties); Southampton 0 Cardiff City 5,
Under-23: Taffs Well 1, Cardiff City 5; Larkhall Athletic 1, Cardiff City 1; AFC Tavistock 0, Cardiff City 7; Bodmin Town 2, Cardiff City 3; Plymouth Parkway 1, Cardiff City 5; Trefelin BGC 0, Cardiff City 0; Haverfordwest County 3, Cardiff City 4; Penybont 1 Cardiff City 4.