Wrexham-born Daniel Griffiths scored twice for Cardiff City in their 2-0 Professional Development Under-18 League South win at Millwall.
Griffiths, who joined the Bluebirds from Liverpool this year, fired City two goals ahead after 21 minutes and that proved to be the final score.
This win in Cardiff’s last match of 2018 ensured they will go into the new year as League leaders.
“Dan’s a good player,” says City’s head youth coach Craig Bellamy.
“He gives us something different and holds the ball up well. At this level he’s as good as you’ll get forward wise and we had to work hard to get him.
“He’s Welsh which was important for us, but his work ethic, ability and threat on and off the ball is essential to how we play.”
Cardiff made one change to their starting line-up with Sam Parsons stepping in for Ntazana Mayembe.
The young Bluebirds went ahead when Griffiths jumped highest at a corner and headed in after eight minutes.
He added a second midway through the first half, converting an excellent cross by Parsons.
Billy Mitchell went close for Millwall when he dragged a shot wide, while Sion Spence almost added a third for City from a well-struck free-kick.
Griffiths almost completed his hat-trick, but his shot was cleared off the line after 81 minutes. Captain Sam Bowen was quickly in on the rebound, but his first time effort flew wide.
Millwall FC: Fanshawe, Bennett, Roberts-Hutton, B Mitchell (capt), A Mitchell, Strachan (Topallos 62), Davis, Duncan, Alexander (Abdulmalik 71), O’Brien, Ezennolim (Edozie 79). Subs not used: Wright, Allen.
Cardiff City: George Ratcliffe, Jake Evans, Ben Margetson (Connor Davies 75), Trystan Jones, Joel Bagan, Keenan Patten, Sam Bowen (capt), Sam Parsons, Dan Griffiths, Sion Spence (Taylor Jones 61), Harry Pinchard. Subs not used: Jordan Duffey (gk), William Warnock, Thomas.
