Cardiff City continued their pre-season campaign with victory over Southend United on Saturday evening.
First half goals from Yousef Salech put the Bluebirds ahead by half-time following a dominant 45 minutes in the Spanish sunshine, with a more balanced second half following as Joel Colwill added a third.
The Bluebirds quickly looked to assert their dominance on the ball following Southend’s early chance and crafted a number of good chances as the half progressed.
Tanatswa Nyakuhwa was heavily involved down the right throughout these early stages, working a number of crosses into dangerous areas, though he saw them subsequently cleared.
From midfield Ryan Wintle looked to set up Yousef Salech with an inviting clipped cross into the area, though the striker couldn’t quite get his headed effort on target.
With City continually knocking on the door, the Bluebirds deservedly took the lead before the half-hour mark, as Salech finished from a one-on-one. Cian Ashford pressed well in the build-up to dispossess his man, with Rubin on hand to pick up the loose ball and drive forwards at speed.
Squaring smartly towards Yousef, the striker picked out his spot and struck to put City ahead.
Play opened up once again past the half hour mark, as the Shrimpers looked with intent on the counter. Horvath again was called into action as he rushed off his line to claim a ball ahead of a yellow shirt, with City’s backline remaining steadfast as they worked their offside trap.
Rubin and Yousef combined once again before the half was over, as Colwill found himself out wide with the ball at his feet. Driving a low cross towards the box, Salech worked his way towards the back post before dispatching into an empty net, doubling the lead.
With many changes among both sides during the break, play resumed with a change of pace, as Southend changed up their play in search of a responding goal.
Horvath had to keep his wits about him early in the half as Tom Hopper lined up a shot from just inside the area. Diving low, the ‘keeper did well to push the effort around the post.
An open-ended half followed, with the Bluebirds needing to be prepared against a Southend side that was poised to attack quickly in possession.
The second half lineup was rewarded for their battling performance ten minutes from the full-time whistle, as City netted a third. Ollie Tanner picked out Joel Colwill with a neat cut back pass inside the area, before the midfielder finished from close range.
The final whistle drew City’s trip to Spain to a close, following a productive week both on the training pitch and in friendly matches.
First Half XI: Horvath, Kpakio, Lawlor, Fish, Giles, Wintle, Turnbull, Nyakuhwa, Ashford, R. Colwill, Salech.
Second Half XI: Horvath, Spiers, Chambers, Bagan, Mafico, J. Colwill, King, Tanner, Wigley, Robertson, Davies. Subs: Dennis, O’Brien.