By Mark Sugar and Alex Atack
February 20 2004

Greame Murty's international debut couldn't have got off to a worse start as Robert Earnshaw and Wales inflicted a 4-0 defeat against the Scots at the Millenium Stadium,Cardiff last night.Murty came on at half time to replace Gary Naysmith as Wales were leading 2-0 but the match finished 4-0. We are fortunate and grateful to have a Royals Season Ticket Holder who went to the game so below is her account of the day so thanks Alex.

Report
After a relatively easy trip down to Cardiff, we arrived at about 5pm and so decided to go to get something to eat, ending up in a Chinese, full of v.friendly Scotsmen in kilts (in mid-february?!). We then proceeded to wander the streets of Cardiff, to soak up the atmosphere and growing tension, however I must admit to feeling slightly out of place due to not obviously supporting either side!

We entered the Millenium Stadium just before the teams came out for their warm-up and took up our seats, in line with the goal amoungst the Wales supporters. However, I soon wandered over to the other end of the stand, so that I could take up a position closer to where Murts and his Scottish comrades were warming up, (Perfect photo opportunity!) but then returned to my seat, praying that our star would have some part to play in the match. The atmosphere began to build as 'Hey Jude' and 'Men of Harlech' (including clapping) rang out around the stadium. The Scottish fans were congregated to my left and filled their section, which was rather small but more than made up for the numbers in their vocal support.

Eventually the teams returned and as expected Murts was on the bench, waiting for his chance to shine. Scotland kicked the game off and immediately went on a surging attack up the pitch, however, the highly impressive Welsh defence cut the ball out and Giggs played a wonderful throughball for Robert Earnshaw, the local hero, to run onto, under very little pressure from the almost static Scotland defence. So, Wales 1-0 up after 34secons!

After the very frantic opening stages, the game settled down and Scotland began to dominate in possession, particularly down the wings with Manchester United's Darren Fletcher particularly impressive. Up front, Kenny Miller and Paul Dickov had chances but Danny Gabbidon and Robert Page were very solid. Simon Davies also had an excellent shot well blocked, however, picked up an injury and was substituted by local boy, Paul Perry.

Wales then found another gap in the Scottish defence as Gary Speed made a great run down the wing and crossed into the box for Earnshaw, who rose unchallenged, to nudge into the bottom-right corner via a defenders shoulder. Wales 2 Scotland 0 at half-time.

Awaiting the half-time entertainment I was thoroughly dissappointed when none arrived, not even Murts warming up as he was being prepared for his big entrance.

Half-time saw Giggs substituted, however, it also saw the introduction of Graeme Murty (legend), for Everton's Gary Naysmith, wearing Number 15. (Luckily for me he defended the touchline right in front of me, so was perfect!) Murts' first touch was not for a while, but ended up being a crunching tackle . (He then fell on the ball but got up and won a throw-in.) The second half was very much like the 1st as the game was very open and Scotland probably had even more possession but the final ball was always poor and the Wales defence held strong. Murts made a few decisive tackles and left his mark by damaging the advertising boards at the side of the pitch by sliding into them!

Robbie Savage was continually making very strong tackles but failed to control his temper, shoving at least 2 Scotland players in the chest. Darren Ward who was brought on by Wales at half-time made some excellent claims from the Scotland crosses and left very few opportunities for shots on goal.

Earnshaw's 3rd was yet another break away and a complete cock-up by the central defenders, leaving Earnshaw with plenty of space to finish high into the centre of the goal. Murty continued to get alot of the ball, playing neat through-balls and linking up well with Fletcher, producing some great overlapping runs and crosses into the box. The closest the Scots came to a goal was set up due to a bit of magic from Fletcher who threaded the ball to Dickov who saw his shot flick off the top of the bar, Scotland did have opportunities!

Wales fourth was from Gareth Taylor, Nottingham Forest striker, who had just previously had a goal ruled out for offside. A low cross from the left found him in the middle, and he slotted it past the keeper under very little pressure from the Scottish centre-backs once again.

OVerall, I was dissapointed that the Welsh only had 3 songs, 'Wales! Wales!'etc. and similarly 'Earnie! Earnie!'etc. (for Robert Earnshaw) as well as 'Are you watching Eng-er-land?'. However, horns were in plentiful supply and nearly everyone had a flag of the welsh dragon. The adulation for the local Cardiff lads was nearly matched by the love of Giggs, Savage and Speed. A special mention must go to the superb Tartan Army, who supported their team continuously and very loudly!
The 4-0 scoreline did not reflect how the dominance of Scotland in possession, however, it does show the higher quality of the Welsh when putting the ball in the back of the net.

Murts was v.solid and not at fault for either of the goals conceded when he was on. He definitely did not look out of place in the international team and contained Earnshaw once superbly, when he was pretty much through on goal (for what would have been his 4th) by simply blocking his path. At one point he even found his way into the penalty area! On that performance he should definitely get given another call-up to the team to show some more of his capabilities in what should be a better situation for him! Well done Murts, you did yourself proud!

Attendance: 47,127

Thanks alot,

Alex



Click on the Gallery to see the pictures Alex took.