Flynn delight as young guns go top

Feb 6 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

WALES UNDER-21 manager Brian Flynn praised his side’s second-half performance after they moved to the top of their Uefa Under-21 qualifying group with a 4-0 win over Malta.

Two second-half goals from Ched Evans and one each from substitute Simon Church and defender Jack Collison settled things for Wales after they dominated the majority of the game.

Despite the margin of victory, the game was goalless at half-time and it took a set-piece to give the visitors the lead in the 62nd minute when Evans headed in Joe Jacobson’s free-kick.

Flynn bemoaned his side’s first-half display, but was highly satisfied with his team’s response after the break.

Flynn said, “I am very pleased, although a little bit frustrated after the first 45 minutes, but the second half was excellent.

“We made a couple of changes and tactically we adapted to them.

“It was a comfortable win. After the first half, we’d have taken a 1-0 win, but, all credit to the lads, they came in and played really well.

“Shaun MacDonald was my stand-out player from start to finish. He was excellent, everything he did was of international standard and he was by far my man of the match.

“To be at the top of the table at this moment in time, everyone in Wales has to be pleased with that and we’ve now got the added pressure of being favourites, but I know we can handle it.”

The second goal came 10 minutes from the final whistle. Edward Herrera failed to clear a low cross and Church pounced on the ball to make it 2-0.

Collison, who had previously sent a couple of headers wide, sealed things with a minute to go, slotting the ball into the corner of the six-yard box before Evans fired in his second from the penalty spot in injury-time.

It was just reward for Wales as they threatened throughout the game with MacDonald and Aaron Ramsey controlling things in midfield.

Man of the match MacDonald said, “The team played really well.

“We’ve been confident since the start of the campaign and it showed today.

“Banging four goals in away from home today was a confidence boost again.

“I feel I did well. I haven’t played for a while, but I felt quite fit to be honest.

“But it’s not about me, it’s about the team at the end of the day.

“We’ve won the game, got three points and topped the group and the lads are happy about that and that’s the main thing.”

Two-goal Evans was thrilled to have helped the Wales youngsters to the top of the table and said, “I’m over the moon.

“It was a good game to play in, I’m over the moon to get two goals, but I’m more pleased to have topped the group.”

When asked if he knew that Welsh senior team manager John Toshack was looking over him, Evans said, “All I can do is keep playing well and bide my time and my chance will come at the right time when John is ready to give it to me.”

Wales are now a point ahead of both France and Romania in Group 10 with a game in hand on the French, who they have already played twice.

With just three matches remaining, Wales only need to win two matches to finish top of the group.

The emphatic result was sparked by MacDonald and Ramsey controlling things in midfield, Ramsey taking the role of playmaker before his substitution on the hour.

The Cardiff City youngster, who only turned 17 on Boxing Day last year, created the first Welsh chance to score after only five minutes with MacDonald offside from the youngster’s silky chip.

It took a while for the Welsh to break through, but their good display paid off.