Wales survive late Lithuania scare as Fulham, Oxford, and Swansea City men on target
Wales kept up their unbeaten start to their UEFA U21 qualifying campaign, with a 3-2 win away in Lithuania.
Goals from Luke Harris, Fin Stevens, and Joel Cotterill seemed to put Wales in a comfortable position, but two goals in stoppage time for Lithuania made it an incredibly nervy finish, but the youngsters held on to record their first win of the qualification campaign.
In their friendly against Liechtenstein on Friday, the Welsh backline were hardly tested, but from the off, Lithuania offered a different challenge. Armandas Kućys’ pace looked like it could be a problem, but the Welsh defence led by captain Ed Turns maneuvered themselves well to stop him from creating problems
Up the other end of the pitch, Wales looked threatening, especially down the wings through Owen Beck and Fin Stevens, but they couldn’t create any real chance of note.
That was until just after the half-hour mark when Wales struck to go ahead. Pat Jones raced into the box, only to have his effort saved. But the ball was only pushed out as far as Luke Harris, who fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Read more: Wales 4-0 Liechtenstein: Rubin Colwill bags a brace in entertaining performance
Lithuania did push for a goal before the end of the first half. Motiejus Burba’s free-kick was saved magnificently by Ed Beach, while Kućys’ goal was ruled out for offside, and Wales went into the break ahead.
As soon as the second half got underway, Wales doubled their lead. Rubin Colwill raced down the wing and popped a fizzing ball into the box, where Fin Stevens was able to fire his effort home.
Lithuania really couldn’t create any chance of note in the second half, while Wales were controlling possession and spraying the ball all over the pitch. Josh Thomas was the next to go close for Matty Jones’ team, but the keeper made an excellent fingertip save.
But there was nothing the keeper could do seven minutes from time as Wales added a third. Substitute Joel Cotterill drove with the ball before curling a sumptuous strike into the bottom corner from 30-yards out.
For all the good work Wales had done, it almost all came undone in stoppage time, as Wales seemed to crumble. Faustas Steponavićius cut in from the byline and finessed a ball through numerous bodies into the bottom corner before Kristupas Keršys produced a stunning backheel from a corner to really make Wales sweat.
Luckily, the referee blew time on the contest before Lithuania could find a miraculous third goal, meaning Wales moved to the top of Group I.
Player of the Match: Fin Stevens
The current Oxford United man was in good form during this game. His tireless work up the wing really helped to push Wales to victory, and his goal was thoroughly deserved. There are a good couple of wing-backs who are pushing to start in this U21 team, but Stevens is right at the top of the list of starters.
Wales
Ed Beach (GK), Owen Beck, Ed Turns ©, Joe Low, Luca Hoole, Fin Stevens, Eli King, Charlie Savage (Charlie Crew 88’), Luke Harris, Rubin Colwill (Joel Cotterill 80’), Pat Jones (Josh Thomas 68’)
Unused Subs: Ben Hughes, Owen Bevan, Cameron Congreve, Harry Leeson, Joel Colwill, Cian Ashford
Goals: Luke Harris (34’), Fin Stevens (46’), Joel Cotterill (82’)
Yellows: Owen Beck (24’), Joe Low (61’), Ed Turns (73’), Fin Stevens (81’)
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