Wales Under-21’s fell to a 2-1 defeat to Ireland in a friendly at Colliers Park.
Two goals in as many minutes were enough to see Ireland come back from behind to beat Wales 2-1 at Colliers Park.
Joe Adams had given Wales the lead on 12 minutes with a first-time finish from the edge of the box.
But a goal from Jonathan Afolabi and a freakish own goal from Morgan Boyes turned the game around quickly.
Despite the loss, there were a lot of positives for Paul Bodin as many new players made their debuts and Wales looked good throughout.
Ireland got the game underway, but it was Wales that dominated the early stages.
Jephcott broke down the left but his cross was turned behind for the first corner of the game.
It was a frustrating first half for the Plymouth forward as the towering Mark McGuinness won every aerial duel.
Wales opened the scoring courtesy of a tidy Joe Adams finish. Niall Huggins used his quick feet to beat the Irish defenders before setting up Adams to fire past Brian Maher.
As the half progressed, Ireland grew into the game but were unable to test Lewis Webb between the sticks.
A change at halftime for Wales saw Nathan Shephard replace Webb between the sticks.
He was called into action as Ireland captain Lee O’Connor who was played in by Watson, but he sent his shot straight at the Brentford goalkeeper.
Bodin handed another U21 debut as Christian Norton replaced Jephcott upfront.
Ryan Stirk had a chance to double Wales’s lead but sent his left-footed shot just wide of the post from close range.
Wales were made to pay for that miss three minutes later when Jonathan Afolabi pulled his side level.
A minute later Ireland were in the lead, Morgan Boyes’ pass back caught Shepperd off guard and rolled into the net.
The visitors could have sealed the victory as they doubled up on Stevens down their left but Afolabi smashed his shot wide.
Cardiff’s Rubin Colwill came on for Adams and was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle by Luca Connell on his first attack.
Wales had a corner in the dying minutes of the game, but the ever-present McGuinness was there to win the ball.
Wales: Lewis Webb (Nathan Shepperd, 45), Fin Stevens, Billy Sass-Davies, Morgan Boyes, Eddy Jones, Ryan Stirk, Terry Taylor (C) (Sam Bowen, 72), Niall Huggins, Joe Adams (Rubin Colwill, 80), Sion Spence (Sam Pearson, 63), Luke Jephcott (Christian Norton, 63).
Goals: Joe Adams 11′
Yellow Cards: Ryan Stirk 84’
Republic of Ireland: Brian Maher, Lee O’Connor (C), Mason O’Malley (Gavin Kilkenny, 68), Mark McGuinness, Luca Connell, Connor Noss, Jonathan Afolabi (Ethon Varian, 85), Louie Watson (Conor Grant, 73), Will Ferry, Andrew Omobamidele, Alex Gilbert (Tyreik Wright, 68)
Goals: Afolabi 76’, Boyes OG 77’
Yellow Cards: Gilbert 27’, Andrew Omobamidele 64’ Luca Connell 83’
(Featured Image: Chwarae Sports Agency/ Nikitas Mesney / FAW)
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