Bodmin Town 1 – 11 Cardiff City: The Bluebirds hit eleven as Warnock wheels and deals

Neil Warnock watched his team bang in 11 goals in Cornwall – and he was also carrying out transfer business at the same time.

The Bluebirds manager spent time on his mobile phone while Cardiff City overran Bodmin Town at Priory Park and he said: “There was a little transfer talk during the calls and I was chatting about one or two decent players. We are talking things through and still need another couple in with one or two going out. Nothing is imminent. It will still take another couple of weeks before anything is sorted.

“We are still optimistic about Marko Grujic after chatting to a few people, but you never know in football.”

Cardiff chief executive Ken Choo was at Bodmin for the match and Warnock said: “We have been talking things through and that process will continue.”

Danny Ward and Kadeem Harris both scored hat-tricks and Warnock said: “Danny has worked really hard to get back to fitness after the injury he had last season.

“The season finished a bit early for him, but he has got himself back to where he wants to be in terms of fitness. It’s the same for Jazz Richards, who can do a job for us at full-back or midfield.”

Cardiff ran out 11-1 winners against Bodmin Town, scoring seven goals in the first half and four in the second. When Nathaniel Mendez-Laing went off 10 minutes from the end Cardiff didn’t send on a substitute and finished the game with 10 men.

Ward (2), Harris (2), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid the first half scorers, while Ward, Harris and Murphy added to the tally before the hour mark.

That made it 10-1 and Gary Madine headed number 11 in the last minute.

Winger Harris terrorised Bodmin with his pace and movement. He was fouled three times in the penalty box, jumping up twice to convert spot-kicks before handing over to Ward.

The striker sent goalkeeper Chris Wright the wrong way to complete his treble.

There was a lot of good movement, passing and pace from Cardiff, who opened up Bodmin time and again.

It was 4-0 before Max Gilbert pulled one back for Bodmin when Cardiff misjudged a long ball over the top and goalkeeper Alex Smithies, making his debut, just failed to get there. With Smithies out of position Gilbert fired into the empty net.

Reid and Murphy both looked dangerous in attack against a Bodmin team who struggled to cope with their Premier League opponents. Both are young players who have the capacity to improve under Warnock’s guidance.

Neil Warnock stuck with his starting line-up in the second half and Cardiff scored their eighth goal one minute after the break. Harris was brought down and he jumped up to tuck away his second penalty of the evening and complete a hat-trick.

The Bluebirds maintained their business-like approach to a game which is an important part of their preparation for the new season.

South West Peninsular League Bodmin were outclassed, but they kept working and trying to play football. They gave away possession at times far too easily, while goalkeeper Smithies looked sharp when they did whip in crosses.

Centre-half Bamba was included for his first appearance, linking up with Matt Connolly at the heart of defence, while Aron Gunnarsson and Kenneth Zohore were both watching from the sidelines.

Both may play for Cardiff in Friday’s match at Torquay United’s Plainmoor ground.

The next match for Cardiff City on their pre-season tour is an under-23 fixture against Porthleven when Lee Tomlin and Anthony Pilkington are again likely to be involved.

Bodmin Town: Chris Wright, Sam Ryan, Charlie Hambly, Ed Timmons, Danny O’Hagan, Max Gilbert, Steve Colwell, Ollie Brokenshire (capt), Stuart Bowker, Ben Steer, Harry Evans. Subs: Tom Moody, Tom Harris, Jack Alexander, Kyle Winnan, Dylan Peters, Jake Ash.

Cardiff City: Alex Smithies, Jazz Richards, Matthew Connolly (Bruno Manga 60), Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett (Greg Cunningham 60), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Loic Damour, Bobby Reid (Lee Peltier 60), Kadeem Harris, Josh Murphy (Gary Madine 60), Danny Ward. Subs not used: Neil Etheridge (gk), Brian Murphy, Sean Morrison, Callum Paterson, Joe Ralls, Junior Hoilett.

Referee: Mark Whalley.

Attendance: 450.

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