Danny Ward and Kadeem Harris both scored hat-tricks in Cardiff City’s crushing 11-1 win against Bodmin Town at Priory Park in Cornwall.
The Bluebirds fired seven goals during the first half with Ward (2), Harris (2), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid the scorers, while Ward, Harris and Murphy added to the tally before the hour mark.
Substitute Gary Madine added the 11th goal in the closing stages.
There was a lot of good movement, passing and pace from Cardiff, who opened up Bodmin time and again during the opening five minutes.
Ward hit the bar before Reid headed Cardiff in front. Mendez-Laing took a corner on the right, Sol Bamba headed goalwards and Reid, flicked it last goalkeeper Chris Wright from close range after nine minutes.
Two goals in a minute strengthened Cardiff’s grip with Mendez-Laing firing into a top corner (15 mins), while Harris netted from a penalty after he had been brought down (16).
Murphy’s shimmy and turn left a defender stranded before he fired low into the corner (23) before Harris ended a flowing move with his second goal.
Max Gilbert pulled one back for Bodmin when Cardiff misjudged a long ball over the top and goalkeeper Alex Smithies, making his debut, just failed to get there.
With Smithies out of position Gilbert fired into the empty net.
Ward completed the scored, heading in after 38 minutes and then volleying home to make it 7-1 two minutes before half-time.
Reid and Murphy both looked dangerous in attack against a Bodmin team who struggled to cope with their Premier League opponents.
Both are young players who have the capacity to improve under Warnock’s guidance/
Ward and Harris stretched Bodmin with their willingness to
Neil Warnock stuck with his starting line-up in the second half and Cardiff scored their eighth goal one minute after the break.
Harris was brought down and he jumped up to tuck away his second penalty of the evening and complete a hat-trick.
The Bluebirds maintained their business-like approach to a game which is an important part of their preparation for the new season.
South West Peninsular League Bodmin were outclassed, but they kept working and trying to play football. They gave away possession at times far too easily, while goalkeeper Smithies looked sharp when they did whip in crosses.
Centre-half Bamba was included for his first appearance, linking up with Matt Connolly at the heart of defence, while Aron Gunnarsson and Kenneth Zohore were both watching from the sidelines.
Both Gunnarsson and Zohore are likely to play for Cardiff in Friday’s match at Torquay United’s Plainmoor ground.
The pace of Harris was terrorised Bodmin defenders and when he was brought down for a third time inside the penalty area referee Mark Whalley pointed to the spot again.
This time Ward stepped up to take the penalty and converted comfortably to complete his treble and make it 9-1 before Murphy added a 10th on the hour.
Mendez-Laing went off with 10 minutes left, walking straight down the tunnel and there was no sign of a replacement going on.
Bodmin Town: Chris Wright, Sam Ryan, Charlie Hambly, Ed Timmons, Danny O’Hagan, Max Gilbert, Steve Colwell, Ollie Brokenshire (capt), Stuart Bowker, Ben Steer, Harry Evans. Subs: Tom Moody, Tom Harris, Jack Alexander, Kyle Winnan, Dylan Peters, Jake Ash.
Cardiff City: Alex Smithies, Jazz Richards, Matthew Connolly (Bruno Manga 60), Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett (Greg Cunningham 60), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Loic Damour, Bobby Reid (Lee Peltier 60), Kadeem Harris, Josh Murphy (Gary Madine 60), Danny Ward. Subs not used: Neil Etheridge (gk), Brian Murphy, Sean Morrison, Callum Paterson, Joe Ralls, Junior Hoilett.
Referee: Mark Whalley.
Attendance: 450.
