Cymru cruised to an easy win in front of a 10,000 sell out crowd at the Racecourse ground, Wrexham last night. Several players were awarded their first caps for their country including Swansea City’s Liam Cullen.
The first half of this contest proved to be the more watchable as one way traffic continued throughout the whole game. Gibraltar for all their efforts were no match for Wales as they scored all the nights goals in the first half. Kiefer Moore bagged two with his head, however his anticipation across the front of defenders and the keeper when the ball was delivered on the floor was lacking,
Ben Davies leading his country for his eighty first cap opened the scoring with Moore contributing along with Nathan Broadhead (below) whose shot inside the penalty area will go down as goal of the evening. His neat swerve and shot leaving the Gibraltar keeper with no chance.
With Chris Mepham and the Swans Ben Cabango out it gave Wales head coach, Rob Page the opportunity to see Portsmouth’s Regan Poole and Wycombe’s Joseph Low as a centre back pairing. For the whole game they did not disappoint. Mind you Gibraltar failed to register an effort on goal and earned just one corner. Low and Poole will have harder games that’s for sure although Poole still managed to get a yellow card.
At half time the Gibraltar head coach, Julio César Ribas kept his side on the pitch for a few minutes during the break bawling instructions at them. It was clear the second half would be a backs to the wall affair. Wales did come close but despite their efforts and Dan James curling a shot against the post the score remained 4-0. This was more of a pat on the head towards the north of the country by the FAW, only the second game there in fifteen years. Charlie Savage watched by his father had a composed game and will be happy with his efforts. Ipswich Town’s Wes Burns left the field early on with what looked like a dislocated shoulder and was replaced by Dan James, in a way this turned the game for the home side.
This game was always going to be a Wales win, it was more about taking football to the north and playing a weakened side than anything else. For that reason it was a success. The more important fixture comes on Sunday when Wales take on Croatia in Cardiff ( Kick Off 7.45pm ) Talk of a draw being good enough doesn’t rub at all. The Croatia fixture and then the remaining two games for qualification for Germany next year all really have to be wins.
Liam Cullen
Liam played the whole game and from the off was a tireless worker across the front of the Wales forward line. His neat inter passing and determination to work for the ball surely wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by Rob Page. He made a few opportunities for himself but overall he ran selflessly making space for his team mates throughout the ninety. Liam should be more than happy with his contribution and surely will feature on Sunday in Page’s match day squad.
Wales (3-4-3): Ward (Hennessey 45'); Poole, Low, Davies (Lockyer 45'); Burns (D James 15'), J James (Sheehan 45'), Savage, N Williams (Wilson 64'); Cullen, Moore (Bradhshaw 45'), Broadhead
Subs: Beck, Rodon, Brooks, Levitt, Harris, Roberts, Ampadu, King
Booked: Poole
Goals: Davies 22, Moore 25, 45, Broadhead 35
Manager: Rob Page
Gibraltar (5-4-1): Coleing; Sergeant, Chipolina, Annesley, Olivero (Mouelhi 45'), Britto; Walker (Coombes 71'), Pozo (Chipolina 59'), Jolley (De Haro 64'), Ronan; De Barr (El Hmidi 71')
Subs: Banda, Casciaro, Badr, López, Santos, Hernandez, Ballantine
Booked: De Barr
Manager: Julio César Ribas
Referee: Philip Farrugia 6/10 : Had an easy evening.
Attendance: 10,008