James Waite, a Welsh teenager with bags of ability, led the charge when Cardiff City powered to a 7-0 under-23 win against Colchester United.
The Bluebirds included four over-age first team players in their team, which is within the rules, with goalkeeper Alex Smithies, Matt Connolly, Loic Damour and Gary Madine starting.
But 19-year-old Waite outshone them all with a beautifully taken hat-trick in the Professional Under-23 Development League fixture. He is small in stature, but can play anywhere across midfield or attack and had good technical ability.
The Wales under-19 international is tenacious, skilled and has a great attitude. Manager Neil Warnock and his coaches are delighted with his progress.
Lloyd Humphries, Laurence Wootton, Ciaron Brown and Jack McKay were Cardiff’s other scorers.
City led 4-0 by half-time and kept up the pressure to earn a highly convincing victory.
Jack McKay opened the scoring after 20 minutes, finishing from close range, and two minutes later Waite kept his composure to fire home the second.
The U’s almost managed to prevent any further damage in the first half, but Cardiff pounced twice just before the break.
Brown headed home from close range to make it three and then Waite netted his second after he reacted quickest when Madine’s shot was parried.
Waite (71 mins), Humphries (83) and Wootton (85) completed the scoring. That goal by Humphries was an audacious strike into the top right corner from 35 yards, while Wootton’s goal was his first of the season.
Jake Evans almost scored after nine minutes when he showed brilliant composure to receive a long ball from Damour, but his close range effort hit a post.
Evans headed against the bar after 49 minutes as City created plenty of chances, while Jack McKay had a shot blocked.
This was Cardiff’s final under-23 match in 2018 and their next fixture is at Crystal Palace on Monday, January 7 (1pm), while they entertain Ipswich Town at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium on Monday, January 14 (Noon).
Colchester United: Coulter, Anderson, Barnes (Charles 60), James, Abbey, Forino (Cracknell 75), Miller, Dunne, Hyde (Mensah 60), Chilvers, Ager. Sub not used: Hallett
Cardiff City: Alex Smithies, Paul McKay, Ryan Pryce, Lloyd Humphries, Ciaron Brown (William Warnock 73, Matt Connolly, Jake Evans (Laurence Wootton 60), Loic Damour, Gary Madine, James Waite, Jack McKay (Jack Bodenham 73). Sub not used: Matthew Hall (gk).