Wales U21 3-0 Moldova U21: Strong second-half showing ensures victory for Dragons
Wales celebrate Mark Harris' goal. Image: Colin Ewart
Wales defeated Moldova 3-0 at the Racecourse Ground in their penultimate game of UEFA U21 EURO 2021 qualifying.
Momodou Touray, Nathan Broadhead and Terry Taylor were all on target as they finished their home campaign with a victory.
Paul Bodin’s side came into this game looking to bounce back after their previous game resulted in a 5-0 defeat to Belgium whereas Moldova looked to make it two wins in a row after an impressive 1-0 win at home to Belgium.
Wales started impressively and had the first chance of the game in the 2nd minute when Nathan Broadhead danced through the Moldova midfield and defence and just dragged a shot wide.
The next near chance of the game fell to the home side when Harry Clifton found Luke Jephcott with a high cross but he could only head the ball wide past the Moldova net.
Jephcott who was making his U21 debut continued to impress in this half and he had another chance to open the scoring in the 34th minute when had a shot after he was again found by Harry Clifton but it was well saved by Victor Straistari.
Moldova did look to catch the homeside a few times on the break in but the strong Wales defence frustrated there opponents during this first half.
The second half began pretty similar to the first half as Cymru looked to open the scoring a couple of times with both wingers putting some crosses in to the box and Regan Poole spraying some impressive balls forward but they couldn’t find anyone with the balls and did not trouble
Paul Bodin’s men were rewarded with there pressure however on the 60th minute as Nathan Broadhead whipped an inswinging ball in to the box which troubled everyone and nearly went in but it was allegedly handled off the line by the moldova player but the ball fell to Terry Taylor to slot home to give wales the lead.
The homeside continued to impress in this game and kept dominating their opponents in possession.
The seventieth minute came along and Cymru earnt a penalty when winger Nathan Broadhead who had a really impressive game on the right hand side was brought down by Ivan Voropai after a surging run in to the moldova box. Up stepped Broadhead and he slotted into the bottom left hand corner to double the young dragons lead.
Cymru never looked like they didn’t want to stop scoring and continued to apply the pressure to the visitors.
Morgan Boyes had the next real chance for the Dragons in 89th minute as he skipped past the moldova defender and made space to hit a shot but Straistari in the Moldova net did well to save.
Momodou Touray came on for a late cameo in what was his last home game at this Age group and he went out with a bang as he made it three for the hosts after Morgan Boyes ran to the byline and hit a ball across goal to Brandon Cooper who flicked it on to the ex Barry Town forward who turned and slotted it home from close range
This victory takes Wales up to third in the group with one game of the campaign left to play. Next up for the young dragons is a tricky trip to top of the group Germany away in Braunschweig .
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
Wales: George Ratcliffe, Cameron Coxe, Brandon Cooper, Regan Poole, Morgan Boyes, Nathan Broadhead (Oliver Cooper 90), Terry Taylor, Harry Clifton, Sion Spence (Aaron Lewis, 82), Liam Cullen, Luke Jephcott (Mo Touray, 90)
Goals: Terry Taylor 61, Nathan Broadhead 77, Mo Touray (90+3)
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