A fast paced, energetic game so far sees England defeating Moldova 3-0 at Wembley at half time. With goals from Steven Gerrard, Ricky Lambert and Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck. The referee no doubt has played centre stage in this fixture with 3 yellow cards to players already and no cards given when seemingly completely necessary.
A right foot pelter from Scouser Steven Gerrard found the bottom left corner of Moldova’s net 12 minutes in. Then Moldova’s promising phase kicked in but was quickly dealt with by England’s solid back four consisting of Ashley Cole- who played more like a second left midfielder than a left back at times but gave England that crucial competitive edge resulting in the scoreline half way through.
Then much to Moldova’s misery, Ricky Lambert maintained a Striker’s instinct to divert Theo Walcott’s thumbled shot to make it 2-0, he celebrated mildly like any Central Midfielder would do. Then a very defensive performance from the whole Western European side, saw Moldova mentally drain and be completely ripped apart from the much changed England squad.
Nearer half time Danny Welbeck was found on the left wing by Arsenal’s promising Golden Boy Jack Wilshere but was wrongly accused of being offside. The fifty-eight thousand people attending tonight’s match contributed to Danny Welbeck’s yellow card, he claimed he didn’t hear the whistle and continued to pursue Moldova’s goal with a right foot finesse. He was then brandished with a card from the Slovakian referee which will see him out of England’s next game against Ukraine in Kiev.
He then was picked out (with a wonderful bursting run right down the heart of the pitch) by Ricky Lambert and calmly took it round the semi-professional goalkeeper and slotted home with his left to make sure Moldova weren’t coming back for a second half turn-a-round. -Conn.
