Walcott goal helps down Wales

England Under-21s secured a comfortable 2-0 friendly victory over Wales at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday night.

Walcott: Celebrates his strike
Walcott: Celebrates his strike

Senior boss Fabio Capello was in the stands to watch England brush aside Wales as a penalty from Tom Huddlestone opened the scoring before the excellent Theo Walcott netted a second before half-time.

Coach Stuart Pearce started his five players from the senior squad as Joe Hart, David Wheater, Huddlestone, Walcott and Gabriel Agbonlahor all had their chance to impress ahead of the forthcoming internationals against USA and Trinidad and Tobago.

Hart was called into action early on, getting down to save from Manchester City team-mate Ched Evans in the opening minute.

Walcott had England's first effort on goal, seizing on the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but Joe Jacobson blocked bravely.

However, Pearce's youngsters were ahead in the 19th minute as Lee Cattermole spread the ball left to Middlesbrough team-mate Adam Johnson, who cut inside and was brought down by Neal Eardley in the penalty area.

Huddlestone duly sent Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey the wrong way with his spot-kick.

David Cotterill curled an effort inches over the crossbar soon after the opener, but the England doubled their lead in the 26th minute.

Huddlestone exchanged passes with Walcott from a short corner and the Arsenal youngster carried the ball in from the left, with his shot taking a deflection to wrong foot Hennessey.

The hosts almost pulled one back when Shaun MacDonald crossed and Andrew Taylor sliced over Hart - but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Wheater and Hart came off and debutant goalkeeper Joe Lewis and Scott Dann were brought on at the interval as England strolled and Wales struggled.

Agbonlahor and Taylor were then given a breather in an uneventful second half as England maintained their unbeaten record in 2008.


Your Comments

thamightyboro (Middlesbrough fan)

"Id like to thank Bryan Robson and the Boro heirachy for setting up our academy Taylor, Wheater, Cattermole, Johnson played and more home grown players on the way keep a eye out for Steele GK Franks RM Porritt LM proud to be a Boro fan. "

dytonmashall (Arsenal fan)

"keep it up, thats what we need at emirates stadium. Thank your for your fantastic goal."

elamit (Liverpool fan)

"I think Stuart Pierce is doing a very good job, so carry on and congrats to the team for their victory against Wales.."

All comments on this story

The General Your Say main page
The England Your Say main page
The Wales Your Say main page

Character Count : 0/1900





Team News:

GunnerBoy (Arsenal) : "...I think people don't have to look further than Robert Pires to find a yardstick for Nasri. Pires didn't score that many goals either in the French league. No one would have predicted that he would become such a better player for us than Marc Overmars..."   view full comment

   

Paper Talk: Reds refuse to pay £18m

Liverpool will not pay the £18m Aston Villa want for Gareth Barry, Mike Ashley would sell Newcastle for £420m and Hull want George Boateng.

More from today's press

Good chance for Ray to make amends

TEAMtalk believes it makes a refreshing change to see a manager spared the axe after the FFF opted to retain Raymond Domenech's services.

Read today's Column

Dreamstar (Liverpool) : "...Liverpool are about to hijack Tottenham's advances for pacy Sevilla winger Diego Capel, with a ¿14 million bid plus add ons being drawn up. Benitez sees him as a cheaper and more realistic option to David Silva, and a player that possesses more poten..."   view full rumour

   
Related Team Pages
 Wales

Don't miss these

LATEST PHOTOS FOOTY QUIZ WALLPAPERS
Spain coach Luis Aragones and captain Iker Casillas step off the plane clutching the trophy.
Image Image
Go to the Gallery Can you answer
all 10?
Download Wallpaper
 More Stories

Top Searches