Wales 0-4 England

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Friday 2 September 2005
 
Aston Villa's Peter Whittingham hit a superb brace as England ensured a play-off place in Group Six with a comfortable victory over Wales in Wrexham.

Sunderland's Jonathan Stead and Tottenham defender Michael Dawson also scored their first goals for Peter Taylor's side as England made light work of a stubborn Welsh outfit.

The young Lions needed to win only one of their four remaining group matches following Poland's failure to beat Austria earlier in the day - and they succeeded at the first time of asking with a clinical away victory.

England began this game in determined mood and took the lead after just five minutes - Stead keeping his composure to control and smash home after some persistent work from Chelsea's Carlton Cole down the left-hand side.

Cole had been set free by Nigel Reo-Coker, who produced a sprightly and industrious performance in the centre of midfield alongside Charlton's Darren Ambrose.

Reo-Coker, Cole and James Milner all played their part in this victory and Milner's low drive could have extended England's lead before the Welsh hit back in search of an equaliser.

Only an instinctive tip-over by Scott Carson from a speculative Arron Davies drive kept England ahead. And the same player came close again moments later - his rasping shot whistling past a post.

Craig Davies forced Carson into action again when clean through and then struck an effort just wide as Wales sensed parity.

On 25 minutes, however, the Lions roared back at the Dragons. Whittingham watched a lofty right-wing centre, again from the boot of the enigmatic Cole, onto his left boot before sweetly volleying home into the corner of the net.

England continued to ride their luck as Wales pressed and defender Owain Tudor Jones curled a shot against the underside of the cross-bar from considerable distance prior to half-time.

With Carson ever-durable on the eve of his 20th birthday and England's defence solid and organised, there was no way through for the hosts.

David Nugent entered the fray to earn his first cap on the hour mark, replacing Cole to accompany Darren Ambrose in attack. Minutes later England put the game beyond doubt.

Whittingham swung over a 67th minute corner from the right-hand side and Tottenham's Michael Dawson stole in unmarked to volley home from close-range past Wayne Hennessey.

England were, by now, totally in command and Whittingham broke clear with seconds to spare and slid the ball confidently past the Welsh goalkeeper to complete a fine Lions victory.

England and Germany are now assured of the two available play-off places in Group Six - the pair lock horns on Tuesday in Mainz.

Wales
Wayne Hennessey; Lee Beevers, Peter Gibert, Byron Anthony, Lewin Nyatanga (Adam Davies, 55); Andrew Crofts, Owain Tudor Jones, Adam Birchall, Arron Davies; David Cotterill, Craig Davies (Stuart Fleetwood, 71).
Subs not used: Anthony Pulis, Levi Mackin, Mark Pritchard, Curtis McDonald, Lee Worgan

England
Scott Carson; Glen Johnson, Anton Ferdinand, Michael Dawson, Liam Ridgewell; Nigel Reo-Coker (capt), Peter Whittingham, James Milner, Darren Ambrose; Carlton Cole (John Welsh, 60), Jonathan Stead (David Nugent, 60)
Subs not used: Nicky Hunt, Lee Camp, Calum Davenport, Gary O'Neil, Tom Soares.

Goals: Stead 5, Whittingham 25, 90, Dawson 67

Referee: Janos Megyebiro (Hungary)

Attendance: 4,109