Blake shines as Wales suffer narrow defeat

Last updated : 07 September 2011 By Michael Morris

earnieblakeA great performance from the Welsh side who were beaten by Ashley Young's first half goal.

Darcy Blake impressed at the back and when Robert Earnshaw came on as a second half sub he fashioned three chances for himself. The best of them set up by Blake but Earnie fired over with the goal gaping.

It's back to domestic action for the lads this weekend and maybe Earnie can make himself feel a little better by scoring for Cardiff.

Post match reaction from Welsh boss Gary Speed.

"I'm very, very proud," he said. "We knew how the game was going to go. We knew England would put us under pressure and we knew we had to hang on in there.

"We knew the last half hour would open up and I thought we controlled the second half. We were so comfortable on the ball. We took the game to England and I'm really proud of the players.

"We were unfortunate not to get the result but with the performance and the way the players played, I'm really really proud."

On Earnshaw's miss he added: "It's one of those things. You can't get a better lad than Robert Earnshaw. He's Wales through and through.

"If we had 25 of him we'd go a long way. If you wanted to put your money on anyone it would be Earnie.

"But the way the guys played in the second half far outweighs the disappointment of that miss."