Cardiff City Reserves ran out 3-0 winners at the Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, with a debut Bluebirds performance and first goal for new central defender Gabor Gyepes in the process.
City faced a Pirates eleven featuring former City winger Richard Langley on trial and looking to resume his relationship with former Ninian Park boss Lennie Lawrence. Paul Wilkinson's squad opened strongly, and despite Rhys Kelleher missing an early chance, Gyepes after five minutes made no mistake as he connected powerfully with Jon Brown's cross to head his new club into the lead.
Chances continued, with Zak Evans heading over the bar before Rovers' Sean Rigg came close at the other end with a mid-range rocket, calling Peter Enckelman into action to touch the ball around the post. Josh McGiness then missed a good chance from close range with a scuffed shot for 'keeper Kite to clear.
Changes came for Rovers, with Langley having to leave with a hamstring strain, while Charlie Reece injured his leg to allow Charlie Clough onto the park. Clough then took a knock himself, leaving with his teammates at the break, then not coming back out, requiring another change.
Cardiff opened the second half brightly, coming massively close through Brown's free-kick which just sailed wide. Jon then was awarded a penalty as he was hacked down by Liam Harwood in the box, leaving the job of pushing the spot kick home to Gyepes who was disappointed not to claim a second with a low drive excellently saved.
Rovers came close to punishing the miss with just under twenty minutes to go as Andy Williams found White, with the ball stolen from his feet as he was cueing his shot.
Cardiff then made it two through Brown surged forward and beat the Rovers keeper with a great shot. The win was then completely sealed inside the last ten minutes as Leigh Smith clipped in a third from the edge of the area.
Overall the injuries made it a difficult afternoon for Bristol, although on the day the win was justified as Cardiff made their superior qualities count.
FULL TIME RESERVES: ROVERS 0-3 CARDIFF
Thanks to Keith Brookman
