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Tavistock AFC 0

Cardiff City 6

PREMIER League newcomers Cardiff City kicked off their pre-season tour of the South West with a comfortable 6-0 win over Tavistock AFC on Monday night.

The atmosphere at Langsford Park was buzzing for the arrival of the Welsh outfit, who won automatic promotion to the Premier League on a dramatic final day of last season. Manager Neil Warnock named a strong side for the visitors, which included summer signings Greg Cunningham, Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid.

Cardiff asserted their dominance straight from kick-off, with Murphy racing down the left flank before finding winger Junior Hoilett, who scored Cardiff’s first goal within the first minute from just two yards out.

By the ten minute mark, Joe Ralls had doubled the Bluebirds’ advantage. The Englishman won the ball in midfield and released Hoilett, who then headed the ball square to Ralls to double the visitors’ lead.

The Lambs gallantly tried to hold off the early assault from Cardiff, but their quality shone through; Gary Madine unleashed a crisp strike from 25 yards out to make the score 3-0. The goal was Madine’s first since joining Cardiff in January.

Bobby Reid also grabbed his first strike for the Bluebirds, driving a powerful low finish into the bottom corner to finish off a swift counter-attack. Madine then got a fifth for Cardiff on the 29 minute mark with a deflected effort.

Desperate to stem the tide, Tavistock dug deep until half time and managed to prevent Cardiff scoring again before the break with some resilient defending.

They continued this into the early stages of the second half, keeping Cardiff out for over 20 minutes of the second half. Neil Warnock then made wholesale changes to his side on the hour mark, bringing on seven substitutes.

Fresh legs gave Cardiff a new vigour and it was one of the substitutes who finally found a way through the Lambs rearguard, with Danny Ward capping off a strong showing for the Premier League side.

While the scoreline may have been one-sided, Tavistock can take heart from the way they defended for large parts of the match.

Ken Ord, Tavistock AFC assistant manager, said: 'Playing against two professional clubs within three days, especially Premiership Cardiff City, was always going to be a big ask.'Although we conceded a couple of early goals we didn't let our heads go down and tried to play our brand of football. I was really proud of the players and their performances as it is not every day you play against Premier League players.'

It was a busy weekend for the Lambs, hosting games against Plymouth Argyle and Argyle Legends — see this week’s Times for full coverage. Pictures by James Bird.