'Power and glory are delivered to Wales by supersub Williams' ************ EIFION WILLIAMS scored with his first touch on his debut for Wales in last night's B international at the snow-swept Racecourse.
The Barry Town striker broke the stalemate in the 72nd minute, only 60 seconds after coming off the substitute's bench.
Williams picked up a pass from Carl Robinson to blast an unstoppable 20-yard drive past 'keeper Maik Taylor - the kind of deadly finishing that brought him 57 goals for the League of Wales champions last season and has made him the league's leading marksman this term.
The 25-year old Williams had a trial with Portsmouth last week and must have impressed a number of scouts in attendance last night.
John Oster enhanced his chances of a senior Wales recall to the European Championship squad, though he is suspended for next month's game in Switzerland.
On a Racecourse pitch made difficult by a thin layer of snow, the Everton midfielder was involved in some of his side's best attacks before being withdrawn in the second half.
During a first-half of few chances, Oster went close to giving Wales a 25th minute lead, sprinting onto a pass by Marc Lloyd-Williams to hit a powerful drive that Turner turned round his near post.
The fiery Oster kept his discipline last night, even when he was brought down by a crude challenge from full-back Brian McGlinchey.
And it was from Oster's curling cross that Kurt Nogan could have put Wales ahead four minutes before the interval.
But the Cardiff-born striker lacked the accuracy that gave him a goal for Preston in their 5-0 victory over Wrexham on the same ground 16 days earlier.
Barry Town wing-back Gary Lloyd hit several dangerous crosses from the left, one of them just eluding former Bangor City attacker, Marc Williams, now enjoying his second spell in League football with Halifax.
Some slick Irish approach play produced little until the 55th minute when 'keeper Danny Coyne kept out a sharp effort from impressive striker Glenn Ferguson within minutes of replacing Wales 'keeper Gavin Ward.
But Wales made the best attempt to break the deadlock, Marc Williams bursting from midfield to hit a low drive that forced a quality save from Taylor.
************
Match Details: Wales: Ward (Coyne 48'), Trollope, Lloyd, Page, Edwards, Mardon (Hughes 48'), Oster (Davies 58'), Robinson, Nogan (E Williams 71'), M Williams (N Roberts 86'), Coates. Subs not used: Maxwell, S.Roberts. Goal: Eifion Williams 72' N.Ireland: Taylor, Griffin (Jeff Whitley 45'), McGlinchey, Sonner, McGibon (Hunter 45'), Williams, Homill, Jim Whitley, Ferguson (Coote 78'), Black (Healy 66'), O'Neill. Subs not used: Carroll, Robinson, Davison. Att:1,270. Referee: D.Gallagher, England.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This report first published in the Western Mail, 10.02.1999.
Match report of Wales 'B' v Northern Ireland 'B', Friendly B international.
09.02.99
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