Wales youth international Sion Spence returned to action Craig Bellamy’s young Bluebirds – and they turned on a sparkling team display in a 5-1 home win against Charlton Athletic.
Spence, who has recovered from a long-term injury problem, watched for most of the match before being sent on just after the hour.
Neil Warnock’s teenage son, William, was also among the City subs, but he did not go on.
Cardiff stand top of the Professional Development League Two South table and were 5-0 ahead with 62 minutes gone.
Dan Griffiths (2), Kieron Evans (2) and Jac Davies scored the goals for City at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
It took only two minutes for Griffiths to put the home team in front, while Evans was denied soon after when Charlton goalkeeper Ed Harvey saved low to his left.
Griffiths and Ntazana Mayembe combined to set up Evans after 16 minutes and he scored at the far post.
Davies netted on the half hour when what looked like an attempted across flew straight into the net to make it 3-0.
Ryan Reynolds headed just wide from a corner before Evans netted his second on 38 minutes.
The 4-0 half-time scoreline reflected Cardiff’s dominance and when Griffiths ran from halfway before slotting past Harvey the visitors were down and out.
Charlton’s consolation came after 66 minutes when Barton’s strike flew in off the underside of the bar.
Cardiff City: George Ratcliffe, Jac Davies, Ryan Reynolds (Ben Margetson 67), Joel Bagan, Trystan Jones, Ryan Kavanagh (Sam Parsons 82), Keenan Patten, Sam Bowen (capt), Ntazana Mayembe, Kieron Evans (Sion Spence 64), Dan Griffiths. Subs not used: Jordan Duffey (gk), William Warnock.
Charlton Athletic: Harvey, Barton, Aidoo, Godding, Balket, Keefe, capt (Keefe 70), Vennings, Chih, Isiaka, Williams, Gody (Kesey 70). Subs: Abloh, Whiting, Kesey, Moore, Featon (Isiaka 76).
