Wales thrash Gibraltar on return to Wrexham
Wales beat Gibraltar with four first-half goals. (Image: Ben Thomas)
Wales comfortably dispatched Gibraltar in a 4-0 victory in their first visit to Wrexham since 2018.
Four first half goals from Captain Ben Davies, Nathan Broadhead and a Kieffer Moore brace sealed the win up North.
There were four debutants for wales as Joe Low, Regan Poole, Charlie Savage and Liam Cullen all played the full game.
The result and performance was much needed before the crunch European Championship Qualifier on Sunday against Croatia.
The first chance fell the way of Wales after just four minutes. Debutant Liam Cullen dancing past two defenders before finding Nathan Broadhead. He moved the ball on to his left foot and fired just past the post.
There was an early change for Wales as full back Wes Burns was replaced by Dan James after 15 minutes due to a injury during a collision.
The injury appeared to be a shoulder issue that could see him out of Sundays match with Croatia.
The home side got their first goal of the game with their first shot on target in the 22nd minute. Captain Ben Davies heading home directly from a Broadhead corner to get his second international goal.
Gibraltar forward Tjay De Barr picked up the first card of the game in the aftermath for dissent towards the referee over the goal being awarded.
Wales were 2-0 up just three minutes later as Kieffer Moore headed home off the post after a cross by debutant Charlie Savage.
Regan Poole come close to a debut goal after his header from a corner was cleared off the line on 32 minutes.
It was 3-0 just three minutes later. James finding Broadhead in the box, he turned a defender and rifled a shot in to the top corner on his right foot.
Savage came close to a debut goal five minutes before half time. His left footed effort on a tight angle forced a good save from the Gibraltar keeper.
Regan Poole picked up the only yellow card for Wales on the 41st minute for a late challenge.
It was 4-0 just as the game reached first half added time. James breaking down the left wing before lifting a cross to the back post for Moore to head home his second.
A dominant first half ended with the away side failing to have a shot on goal.
There were many changes as expected at half time for Wales. Goalscorers Davies and Moore replaced by Tom Lockyer and Tom Bradshaw. Youngster Jordan James was replaced in midfield by Josh Sheehan and Danny Ward replaced by Wayne Hennessey in goal.
Joe Low come close to a debut goal just before the hour. His header from a Cullen corner dropped just over the bar.
Wales continued to apply pressure but the Gibraltar defence sat deep in an attempt to avoid any more goals.
Dan James almost made it five on the 78th minute. His curling left footed effort crashed off the post though.
James played Bradshaw through four minutes before the end of play but he could only fire the ball in to the side netting.
The away side done well in the second half to keep Wales out with the game finishing with a goalless second half.
Wales – Danny Ward (GK) (Wayne Hennessy GK 46’), Wes Burns (Daniel James 15’), Regan Poole, Joe Low, Ben Davies (C) (Tom Lockyer 46’), Neco Williams (Harry Wilson 64’), Charlie Savage, Jordan James (Josh Sheehan 46’), Nathan Broadhead, Liam Cullen, Kieffer Moore (Tom Bradshaw 46’)
Goals: Ben Davies 22’ Kieffer Moore 25’ 45’ Nathan Broadhead 35’
Yellow cards: Regan Poole 41’
Gibraltar – Dayle Coleing (GK), Ethan Jolley (Ethan De Haro 64’), Jack Sergeant, Louie Annesley, Roy Chipolina (C), Jayce Olivero (Aymen Mouelhi 46’), Nicholas Pozo (Joseph Chipolina 59’), Liam Walker (Jamie Coombes 72’), Kian Ronan, Ethan Britto, Tjay De Barr (Ayoub El Hmidi 72’)
Goals:
Yellow cards: Tjay De Barr 22’
