Cardiff City 3, Crystal Palace 0
Sol Bamba and Jazz Richards have taken a huge stride towards full fitness after playing for Cardiff City’s development team against Crystal Palace.
Both players completed the 90 minutes during a convincing Bluebirds victory at Cardiff City Stadium and will be available for Saturday’s home match against Birmingham City.
Coach Andy Legg included Curtis Nelson, goalkeeper Joe Day, Ciaron Brown and Cameron Coxe in a strong team.
Laurence Wootton scored just before half-time, while Bamba, after 80 minutes, and Nelson completed the scoreline during injury time.
The dangerous, pacy Shamar Moore raced into the penalty area from the left flank, but his effort from an acute angle was gathered by goalkeeper Dion Henry.
Laurence Wootton fired the Bluebirds ahead when his shot was deflected and Henry was left helpless.
Central defender Nelson shot just wide from a first-time attempt, while Jake Evans forced Henry into a superb finger-tip stop from a low. curling shot from 20 yards.
City were dominant and Bamba tapped home from close range following a corner.
Nelson completed the tally when he headed in from a corner during injury time.
Cardiff City: Joe Day, Jazz Richards, Ciaron Brown (Ryan Pryce 71), Sam Bowen, Curtis Nelson, Sol Bamba, Jake Evans, Tavio d’Almeida, Shamar Moore, Laurence Wootton (Tom Sang 82), Cameron Coxe. Subs not used: Joel Bagan, Matthew Hall (gk), William Warnock.
Crystal Palace: Dion-Curtis Henry, David Boateng, James Daly (Dylan Thiselton 67), Malachi Boateng, Sam Woods (Joshua Chamberlin-Gayle 61), Jacob Mensah, Brandon Pierrick, Nya Kirby, Rob Street, Giovanni McGregor, Brandon Aveiro. Subs not used: Aidan Steele, Oliver Webber (gk), Denzelle Olopade.
Professional Under-23 Development League fixtures
November
Monday 4: Cardiff City v Birmingham City
Monday 11: Bristol City v Cardiff City
Monday 25: Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic
December
Monday 9: Watford v Cardiff City
Monday 16: QPR v Cardiff City
January
Monday 6: Cardiff City v Coventry City
Monday 13: Cardiff City v Colchester United
Monday 20: Coventry City v Cardiff City
Monday 27: Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
February
Monday 3: Millwall v Cardiff City
Monday 10: Cardiff City v Bristol City
Monday 17: Charlton Athletic v Cardiff City
March
Monday 2: Cardiff City v Watford
Monday 9: Cardiff City v Ipswich Town
Monday 16: Cardiff City v QPR
Monday 23: Leeds United v Cardiff City
Monday 30: Cardiff City v Burnley
April
Monday 6: Crewe Alex v Cardiff City
Monday 20: Cardiff City v Hull City
Monday 27: Wigan Athletic v Cardiff City
