Wales 3-0 Scotland
Stunning first-half performance by Aaron Ramsey helps young Wales side to 3-0 win over Scotland
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Saturday, 14, Nov 2009 05:10
By Darren Estwick.
A stunning first-half performance by Aaron Ramsey ensured a young Wales side triumphed 3-0 over Scotland at Cardiff City Stadium.
The Arsenal youngster scored one and made the other two goals during the friendly match this afternoon ensuring a result which heaps ever more pressure on Scotland manager George Burley.
All the damage was done in three first half goals by David Edwards, Simon Church and man of the match Ramsey. Surprisingly Scotland started the brighter but lost their way the minute the first goal went in.
And it was a beauty.
Ricketts linked up well with Ramsey down the right wing before sending the Arsenal man clear down the flank. Ramsey cut the ball back for Edwards who executed a spectacular volley which flew past keeper David Marshall.
From that moment the momentum had swung and Wales looked the more assured.
Midway through the half they managed to ram home their superiority. Again Ramsey was involved, picking the ball up just outside the area and putting a through pass to Ledley who fires the ball across the box for Church to tap in from close range.
Scotland were now in the disarray which could explain how they managed to concede the third goal.
Ramsey collected the ball after Darren Fletcher lost possession in midfield and he then proceeded to ship past McManus and ghost past Fletcher before attempting a pass which rebounded of the defender to his feet and with a swish of his right foot made it 3-0.
Scotland should have then conceded a penalty when Church was clumsily bundled to the ground but the referee showed his compassionate side. Wales finished the half with a swagger not seen for many years leaving many in the ground expectant of more goals in the second half.
Alas the international friendly curse that is excessive substitutions came to spoil an up to that point entertaining spectacle. The match drifted to its conclusion without any noteworthy chances or incidents.
Ramsey was taken off an hour into the game and with him went the game's only genuinely class player.
Burley will have to explain to the waiting media what went wrong, while Wales' supporters can look forward to a bright, new and Ramsey-inspired future.