Cardiff City produced a stunning comeback to win 4-2 in their under-23 pre-season match against St Austell at Poltair Road in Cornwall.
The young Bluebirds, wearing lime green shirts and white shorts, were trailing 2-0 with less than a minute left in the first half, but they went into to break at 2-2 and quickly went ahead after the restart.
Rhys Healey scored twice, taking his pre-season tally to four goals, as City showed spirit and character.
The Lillywhites of St Austell impressed during the opening 45 minutes with experienced centre-forward Liam Eddy causing big problems for young defenders Ciaron Brown and Jack Bodenham.
The two Cardiff lads stuck at it and played key roles in the recovery.
Captain James Waite was outstanding for Cardiff, while there were flashes of genuine quality from Lee Tomlin and Anthony Pilkington worked hard in attack.
Eddy scored St Austell’s opening goal after two minutes following good work by tenacious full-back Jack Calver, who had a spell on trial with Cardiff last season.
Calver won the ball near the halfway line, ran forward and slipped a pass through for Eddy, who scored 25 goals for St Austell last season despite being injured for a long spell.
Eddy gained half a yard on centre-half Brown and fired a low shot just inside the far post.
Eddy’s influence was crucial again when he fooled a Cardiff defender as he ran into the penalty area and was fouled. Referee Steve Annis awarded the penalty, Mark Goldsworthy fired home from the spot and the home and the home team led 2-0.
At that stage Cardiff looked in trouble. St Austell were looking sharp and dangerous, while the Bluebirds struggled to find any consistent fluency.
Then came move of sublime quality when Tomlin played a pass forward for Pilkington, who chested down for Healey to smash his shot into the net.
Less than a minute later it was 2-2 when a cross was whipped in and home defender Will Tinsley could only turn it into his own net.
The half-time whistle blew a few seconds later and Cardiff went in level after trailing for most of the first half.
Their third goal came after 49 minutes when Healey found space on the left of the penalty area and left goalkeeper Jason Chapman helpless with a delightful lob.
Cardiff completed their scoring when they produced a spell of quicker passing which released substitute Jamie Veale, who finished with a low shot past the goalkeeper after 75 minutes.
Pilkington and Tomlin were replaced immediately after half-time, while Healey went off just before the hour.
Goalkeeper Brian Murphy completed 90 minutes along with Ryan Pryce, Jack Bodenham, Waite, Scott McLean and Dan Martin, a Kent-born former Fulham full-back from Maidstone.
Teenager Martin linked up with Cardiff this week, starting a trial spell. The 18-year-old impressed and is likely to be involved again when the under-23s play Porthleven on Thursday evening.
St Austell FC: Jason Chapman, Will Tinsley, Jack Calver, M Watts, Tom Chambers (capt), Martin Giles, Jordan Dingle, Liam Eddy, Mark Goldsworthy, Neil Slateford. Subs: Matt Lloyd, George Tucker, Jason Rogers, Callum Bertrand.
Cardiff City: Brian Murphy, Ryan Pryce, Dan Martin, Jacob Evans (Breyden Shaw 57), Ciaron Brown (Laurence Wootton 63), Jack Bodenham, James Waite (capt), Rhys Healey (Paul McKay 57), Anthony Pilkington (Jamie Veale 46), Lee Tomlin (Cameron Coxe 46), Scott McLean. Sub not used: Matthew Hall (gk).
Referee: Steve Annis.
Attendance: 221.
