Wales win at a canter at The Racecourse

Robert Page’s Wales team ran out easy winners against Gibraltar at Wrexham, with Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore heading in twice to set up a comfortable victory.

Wales returned to the Racecourse, Wrexham for this friendly fixture against Gibraltar, continuing the venue’s proud record as the oldest international venue still in use.

There was an unfamiliar look to the Wales line up, with a number of star names rested ahead of the crucial forthcoming encounter with Croatia.

Tottenham’s Ben Davies skippered the side in the absence of Cardiff City’s Aaron Ramsey. Charlie Savage – son of Robbie – made his debut. Wycombe’s Tjay De Barr of Wycombe Wanderers started up front for the visitors in the swirling North Wales mist, up against clubmate Joseph Lowe.

Savage Jnr. was busy in the opening exchanges, including one bone crusher of a tackle after 11 minutes on De Barr. Fellow debutant Lowe also cut an imposing figure – all 6’5” of him.

Wales suffered an early blow, loosing Wes Burns to injury after barley a quarter of an hour. Dan James of Leeds United stepped up from the bench.

After 22 minutes, the Welsh pressure told. Skipper Davies the unlikely hero, heading in from Nathan Broadhead’s corner in front of the empty space where the famous Wrexham Kop is now being developed.

The influential Savage crossed for Kieffer Moore to power home a header, as the Welsh took a grip on the game. Dayle Coleing saved smartly from Dan James to prevent a third but was powerless to stop the Leeds winger setting up Nathan Broadhead for a cool finish on 35 minutes.

The busy keeper denied Savage a snapshot debut goal as the game descended into one way traffic. Liam Cullen went close; Moore tried a bicycle kick before heading in a fourth. Ben Davies played like a left winger!

It had been difficult to see exactly what Robert Page had gained from this outing as the first half saw his side dominate the play. Good outings for some youngsters and those needed game time maybe. Danny Ward in the Welsh goal had barely touched the ball though. His replacement Hennessey likewise.

This famous old venue looked magnificent under the lights but navigating my way around its  tight corridors and cramped passageways during half time, it was not difficult to see why so many clubs elect to construct shiny, if rather bland, new arenas.

A host of substitutions inevitably led to a less fluid second 45. Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer took his place at the back for Wales but the former Radyr Ranger was rarely troubled.

If anything, the Welsh were guilty of overindulgence in a rather tame second half. Savage continued to sparkle but a shot against the post by James on 78 minutes was about as good as it got.

Gibraltar would no doubt be satisfied to have kept the score down whilst, for the Welsh, it is on to the more daunting task of Croatia in Cardiff.

Wales 4

Gibraltar 0

Att. 10,008

DAVID COLLINS

WELSH FOOTBALL CORESPONDENT

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