Hereford FC 1, Cardiff City Development XI 5
Craig Noone scored twice during Cardiff City’s emphatic pre-season victory against Hereford FC at Edgar Street.
Matty Kennedy, Declan John and Ibrahim Meite were the other Bluebirds goalscorers.
This was officially a fixture for Cardiff’s under-23 team, but manager Neil Warnock included a number of senior players in the squad.
Warnock’s assistant, former Leeds and Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell, was in charge of the team and said: “Hereford tried to play some good football and moved the ball quick,’ he said.
“Possession wise at one point, they certainly had more than we did.
“Clearly our lads are sharper and fitter, you expect that from full-time professionals.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was a great workout.”
Cardiff went ahead when John whipped in a cross following a smart one-two with Meite and Kennedy stroked the ball int Hereford’s net after nine minutes.
It was 1-1 when Pablo Haysham’s cross was headed in by Mark Preece.
Cardiff regained the advantage when John netted from Stuart O’Keefe’s pass just after the half hour and then Meite used his pace to go clear and slot past an isolated keeper (34 mins).
The half was rounded off with goalkeeper Brian Murphy saving a sharp Keyon Reffell chance, a full-length dive to his left denying the Bulls a second goal.
During an evenly contested second half Murphy was kept busy dealing with several Hereford chances and he kept the home team out.
An effort from Cameron Coxe thudded against the right-hand post with 15 minutes left, but the next goal was scored by Noone. A mix-up led to Bulls’ keeper Ethan Ross spilling the ball at the feet of Noone, who scored from outside the penalty area.
Noone completed the scoring when his shot sailed over an unlucky goalkeeper.
Hereford: Hereford: Ross, Oates, Bowen, Edge, Deaman, Preece, Reffell, McGrath (Mills), Smith (Hayes), Haysham, Purdie (Preen). Subs not used: Franklin, Pugh, Richards, Harris.
Cardiff City: Murphy, Coxe (Trialist), Young (Duffus), Trialist, John (Trialist), Weymans, Humphries (Veale), O’Keefe, Kennedy, Noone, Meite. Subs not used: Byrne, Trialist, Trialist.
Attendance: 1,114.