Weston-super-Mare AFC took on Cardiff City U21s at home this weekend in their second summer pre-season fixture against an academy and played out a hard fought 1-1 draw.

Scott Bartlett and his men lined up with a much-changed side for the match to give the players their needed pre-season time, including three trialists, but the changes meant flow was hard to find at the start, allowing the Cardiff to get the better start of the two sides.

The visitors opened up the scoring in the 12th minute after Weston were caught overplaying at the back.

Goalkeeper Kelland Absalom tipped a good shot on to the post to deny the first attempt after the Weston mistake, but Cardiff forward Reindorf picked up the loose ball and skipped past a couple of defenders in the box before finding an easy finish that he shouldn’t have been allowed to find.

After the opener play got bogged down in midfield as both teams grew into game and it meant Weston had to wait until the first minute of the second half to find their reply.

Fast, short passing from Reuben Reid, James Waite, and Jacob Cane helped play Ollie Chamberlain through on goal straight from kick off, but his shot was well saved by Cardiff’s Turner.

However, Cardiff were unable to clear the resulting corner and defender Keiran Thomas popped up in the box to neatly tuck the ball away from six yards out to make it 1-1.

With Weston’s equaliser coming so promptly after the break the game was still there for the taking and they worked the ball around a lot better, but with the vast majority of the football being played in midfield neither side was able to produce anything clear cut as the game played out to a draw.

Weston could’ve been level by the time their first goal went in after being awarded a penalty in the first half, a foul on Waite giving the referee no option but to blow his whistle, but Luke Coulson’s effort cannoned of the foot of the post.

Waite and James Dodd also came close, both in the second half, but Waite’s shot was well blocked, and Dodd’s header flew painfully past the corner of the woodwork.

The Seagulls unconventional line-up also wasn’t helped by striker Nick McCootie’s departure in the first half with a hamstring niggle, nothing major but Bartlett wasn’t wanting to take any chances with the season coming up so soon.

Weston will now be taking on Merthyr Town on Tuesday evening for their penultimate pre-season fixture, KO 7:45pm, before hosting last season's league champions Yeovil Town on Saturday August 3rd, KO 3:00pm.