Ciaron Brown didn’t enjoy such good fortunes on his return to the Vale, as Wealdstone comfortably beat Cardiff’s Under-23s 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly.

Goals from Wadah Ahmidi, trialist Reece Harris and Bradley Bubb secured the win for Bobby Wilkinson’s men, who kick off their National League South campaign against Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

Wilkinson had a near full-strength side to choose from at the Vale but was without the services of first choice goalkeeper Jonathan North, alongside Luke Williams and Stefan Brown. Trialists Harris and Guri Demuria were named on the bench.

Both teams traded blows early on with Cardiff’s Jacob Evans forcing a fingertip save from Wealdstone goalkeeper Callum Thomas from distance, before Bubb almost put the Stones in front through a close range header.

The National League South side would take the lead just before the half-hour mark thanks to an excellent strike from Ahmidi, who left Cardiff’s Matt Hall with no chance when he sent a dipping effort into the bottom corner after being found in space by Bradley Hudson-Odoi.

Wilkinson made nine changes to the side at half-time and two of them almost combined just minutes after the re-start, when Glenn Wilson met Danny Green’s corner, only for his header to be cleared off the line.

But the Stones wouldn’t have to wait long to double their advantage as good work from David Pratt saw him shrug off his marker before squaring for trialist Harris, who calmly turned the ball into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

After Evans’ effort hit the crossbar, the Stones would make the game safe with six minutes remaining as Bubb got on the scoresheet when he drilled a low effort past Cardiff substitute Warren Burwood, after Harris’ through ball had split open the Cardiff defence.

The result proved to be a perfect way for the Stones to cap off pre-season, which has seen them lose just one of their eight games, picking up four wins in the process.

Wealdstone: Thomas (GK), Tyler (Sheppard 45), Grant (Demuria 45), Stevens (Wilson 45), Okimo (Mambo 45), Poku (Harris 45), Monakana (Lench 45), Ahmidi (Clark 45), White (Pratt 45), Bubb, Hudson-Odoi (Green 45).