Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started

Tag: Alex Babos

Wales Watch: Harry Wilson is on fire for Derby

Harry Wilson continued his superb goalscoring form for Derby by netting another 2 goals on the weekend against Swansea, including a wonder strike from 30 yards out. Wilson has now scored four goals in his last three appearances for Derby.

In the same match, Tom Lawrence also played 90 minutes, while Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, Dan James and Declan John all started for Swansea in the 2-1 loss against Derby.

James Chester scored again for Aston Villa as they had a shock 3-0 away victory against Middlesborough. Chester has now scored 3 goals in his last 7 games for Villa, a superb run of form for a central defender.

Although Unai Emery does not feel the need to start Aaron Ramsey, the Welsh talisman came on in the North London derby and played a huge part in Arsenal’s 4-2 victory. Ramsey was brought on at half time as Spurs went into the break 2-1 ahead, however the Welshman assisted Arsenal’s final two goals to secure the huge win. Ben Davies played 82 minutes for Spurs in the same match.

Wayne Hennessey kept a second clean sheet in two games for Crystal Palace in their 2-0 win against Burnley. Hennessey also picked up the player of the month award for Palace, voted for by the fans.

Christian Doidge and Lee Evans faced each other on Saturday as Bolton drew 1-1 with Wigan. Although Doidge played as a central striker, he saved Bolton their hard-earned point by clearing Evans’ strike off the line in the final minutes.

Wales regulars Chris Gunter and Joe Allen played 90 minutes on the opposing sides in Reading 2-2 Stoke. Ashley Williams came on for Stoke in the 89th minute.

And our foreign exports:Ā 

Despite not getting on the scoresheetĀ Gareth Bale was back in form for Real Madrid in their 2-0 win over Valencia. Matt Smith and James Lawrence both played 90 minutes for FC Twente and Anderlecht, respectively. Alex Babos came on in the last 15 minutes for Real Union in their 2-0 win against Real Sporting B.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive the latest updates on Welsh football.

ReadĀ more:
ā€¢ There were so many Welsh goal scorers in the weekend matches!

Advertisement

Ramsey and Brooks hit form at the perfect time

Bournemouth beat Watford 4-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday in their biggest away victory in the Premier League. David Brooks was key in Bournemouth’s victory, scoring the first goal after 14 minutes – his second goal in as many games. He was replaced on 70 minutes, but his overall contribution was magnificent; a perfect way to go into the international break with Wales.

Sam Vokes was another player to get his second in as many games in the Premier League. Burnley drew 1-1 with strugglers Huddersfield and Vokes managed the only goal for the home side with a guided header.

Aaron Ramsey was outstanding in his 25 minute cameo for Arsenal, scoring a world-class goal just 39 seconds into his appearance. He also assisted Aubameyang’s second goal for Arsenal to win 5-1. There is a slight doubt that he could miss either of Wales’ fixtures in the international break, due to his wife being very close to giving birth to twins. However, if he has a 39-second cap for Wales and does something as special as this, none of us will care!

Crystal Palace were fortunate not to concede more than one goal against Wolves on Saturday, thanks to the efforts of ex-Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. Meanwhile, Ben Davies came on for the last few minutes in Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Cardiff at Wembley.

Ipswich Town’s Gwion Edwards scored his second goal for the club with a header in a 3-2 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts and Dan James all played 90 minutes together for the first time this season for Swansea. Like Edwards, James was outstanding in his performance and at the moment, Wales are spoilt for choice with wingers. Although Declan John was called up for Wales this week, he didn’t make the match day squad. Rodon was called up for Wales after Paul Dummett withdrew on Saturday evening.

It was a slight worry to see Gareth Bale come off in the 80th minute with a precautionary injury in Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss. It will soon be seen whether he will be fit enough to face Spain on Thursday, but Bale has still travelled to Wales to meet up with the national team regardless.

Tyler Roberts and Chris Mepham played against each other in a promotion-rivals clash. It finished all square at 1-1 and both will travel to the Wales camp in good form.

Derby’s Tom Lawrence played 78 minutes in a 1-1 draw away to QPR. Harry Wilson came on in the 54th minute but couldn’t grab the winner.

Chris Gunter was brought off at 77 minutes for Reading, whilst they were 3-1 against West Brom. Hal Robson-Kanu wasn’t brought on but the game finished comfortably for the Baggies with 4 goals scored.

Neil Taylor played his first 90 minutes in a while for Aston Villa against Millwall, as James Chester was suspended for his red card in the previous Villa match. Steve Morison came on for Millwall, Tom Bradshaw was an unused sub.

Joe Allen and Ashley Williams played 90 minutes together for Stoke in their 1-0 away win against Norwich. Preston pairing, Chris Maxwell and Andrew Hughes also played the full match together in their huge 4-0 victory against Wigan. Lee Evans was an unused sub for Wigan.

In League One, Ched Evans won and converted a penalty for Fleetwood in a 4-0 away win against Doncaster. There was another 4-0 away thumping in League One; Adam Davies captained Barnsley against Peterborough and Ryan Hedges was brought on for the last 15 minutes to see out the huge win for Barnsley.Ā Joe Jacobson also scored a penalty for Wycombe in their 2-1 win against Burton.

Matt Smith played 90 mins in FC Twente’s 1-1 away draw, while Real Union’s Alex Babos made a 10 minute appearance at the end of the match with Real Sociedad B.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive the latest news regarding Welsh football.

ReadĀ more:
ā€¢ Mitchell Clark “surprised” at not being named in the Wales U21 squad
ā€¢ Ryan Giggs announces his squad for the fixtures against Spain and Rep. of IrelandĀ 
ā€¢ Wales Watch: Tyler Roberts shines again for Leeds in midweekĀ 

Three Welsh players net their first club goals this season

Cardiff-born Andrew Hughes is doing all that he can to capture the attention of Ryan Giggs. The Preston left-back scored his first goal for the club from a free kick after signing in the summer. With Paul Dummett currently injured and other left-backs Neil Taylor and Declan John not getting regular football, Hughes could be in contention for his first international call up next week.Ā Chris Maxwell was in goal for Preston but couldn’t stop West Brom scoring three goals to win the game 3-2.

It was the perfect day for Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium as they beat QPR 3-0. Connor Roberts scored his first goal for the club, following his first career goal just three weeks ago for Wales. Joe Rodon kept his place at the back and could be another player to earn his first Wales senior call up. Daniel James was an unused substitute for the Swans.

Tyler Roberts maintained his good form with Leeds as they drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday. Roberts played the full match and bagged an assist for the stunning Leeds equaliser. Ash Baker played an hour for Sheff Weds at left back.

It was a first goal of the season for Sam Vokes, who headed in Burnley’s winner against Cardiff to win 2-1. Jazz Richards was an unused substitute for Cardiff in the same game.

Keiron FreemanĀ is another player who will be looking to impress Ryan Giggs ahead of upcoming internationals, as he remains first-choice right-back for Sheffield United. He played 90 mins in a dramatic 3-2 away win against Millwall, where veteran Steve Morison captained the home side. Tom Bradshaw was an unused sub for Millwall and Ben Woodburn was not in the 18 for Sheff Utd.

Ashley Williams and Joe Allen started together in the Stoke team for the first time this month, but were unable to guide the team to their third league victory of the season. Stoke conceded two goals again and sit in 17th position after drawing 2-2 with 18th placed Rotherham.

Brentford’s Chris Mepham and Reading’s Chris Gunter played 90 minutes against each other on Saturday in a game that finished 2-2 at Griffin Park. Meanwhile, Derby’s Harry Wilson couldn’t quite match the excellent level he displayed at Old Trafford in midweek against Man Utd. Derby lost against Bolton 1-0 away from home and Tom Lawrence made his first appearance for The Rams after returning from suspension. Christian Doidge came on for the final 15 minutes for Bolton.

James Chester played his regular 90 minutes for Villa, but failed to keep a clean sheet again. The game finished 1-1 with Bristol City and Marley Watkins appeared for a few minutes to see out the match.

Lee Evans‘ Wigan lost 1-0 away from home against Norwich, where Louis Thompson made a second half appearance in midfield for the Canaries. Evans is a likely candidate to be called up next week because Andy King and Joe Ledley are not getting any first team football currently.

Aaron Ramsey will have been massively disappointed to be taken off after an hour for Arsenal. The breakdown in contract negotiations became public news this week and will have no doubt influenced Emery’s decision in the game to bring Ramsey off early. Ramsey is rumoured to move to Serie A, either in January for a fee or next summer when his contract finishes.

It was a slight worry to see Gareth Bale brought off at half time in the Madrid derby for what was thought to be a minor muscular injury. Here’s hoping he is fit for the matches against Spain and Rep. of Ireland in a couple of weeks.

In League One, Adam Matthews came on very early in the first half for Sunderland as they drew 1-1 with Coventry. Adam Davies remains as Barnsley no.1 and played 90 mins in their 3-1 win against Fleetwood. Tom Lockyer came off injured after 38 minutes for Bristol Rovers.

Alex Babos made his first appearance for Spanish Segunda side Real Union on Sunday evening, coming on in the 76th minute. 18-year-oldĀ Matt Smith played in central midfield in FC Twente’s 2-1 comeback win.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive all of the latest updates.

ReadĀ more:
ā€¢ Wales Watch: Harry Wilson shows his quality in the League Cup
ā€¢ Wales Watch: Ramsey and Wilson hit formĀ 
ā€¢ Tyler Roberts was the star player of the midweek gamesĀ 
ā€¢ Club football restarts: Welsh player updatesĀ 

Wales Watch: Ramsey and Wilson hit form

The last time Aaron Ramsey faced Everton (in February this year), he scored his first career hat-trick. He didn’t quite reach those heights today, but still managed to grab two assists for both of the Arsenal goals in a game that finished 2-0.

For the first he laid the ball off to Lacazette to smash in the top corner, and the second was a small Cruyff-style flick for Aubameyang to finish (though it was offside).

It was a good day at the office for both Wayne Hennessey and Paul Dummett, who kept clean sheets against each other in Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle. That game was Hennessey’s third clean sheet of the season – only Alisson of Liverpool has more with four.

Harry Wilson managed his first goal in a Derby shirt after signing on a season-long loan from Liverpool in the summer. Wilson picked up the ball in his own half and passed it to ex-Cardiff midfielder Craig Bryson, before receiving it back in the 18 yard box to net his first of the season. Chris Mepham was up against Wilson but was unable to stop Derby scoring three goals.

Sam Vokes‘ Burnley had a tremendous 4-0 victory against David Brooks‘ Bournemouth. Both players went close to getting on the scoresheet but neither were successful this time. Jazz Richards came on in the second half for Cardiff, but couldn’t stop Man City dominating the game at the CCS.

Tyler Roberts got 90 minutes for Leeds and was unable to replicate his magnificent performance in midweek. Leeds lost for the first time this season against Birmingham, but still sit top of the Championship.

It was another clean sheet for Swansea on Saturday against a tough Tony Pulis Middlesborough team. Joe Rodon was back in the starting eleven for the Swans and Connor Roberts kept his usual place on the right. Daniel James came on in the second half in a game that finished 0-0.

Chris Maxwell made his first league appearance of the season for Preston, along with Andrew Hughes who returned to the line up. Hughes bagged his first assist of the season to level the score 2-2, but a late goal from Sheffield United saw Preston lose the game 3-2. Ben Woodburn was an unused sub.

Aston Villa and Stoke City maintained their poor starts to the season and both lost at home against Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers respectively. James Chester and Joe Allen started for Villa and Stoke, while young full-back Ash Baker played 90 minutes for the winning side, Sheff Weds. Ashley Williams remained on the bench for Stoke and Neil Taylor was left out of the match day squad again for Villa.

Matt Smith started again for FC Twente in their 3-1 away win, taking them to fifth in the second tier of Dutch football. Gareth Bale was an unused sub for Real Madrid after scoring in the Champions League in midweek, as was Alex Babos for Real Union, who made the squad for the first time after a deadline day loan signing from Derby.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive all of the latest updates.

ReadĀ more:
ā€¢ Tyler Roberts was the star player of the midweek games
ā€¢ Club football restarts: Welsh player updatesĀ 
ā€¢ Denmark 2-0 Wales: Video analysisĀ 
ā€¢ Wales 4-1 Rep. of Ireland: Video analysis of the four Welsh goalsĀ 
ā€¢ Are we witnessing the birth of another ā€˜golden generationā€™?Ā 

Final Welsh player roundup before the first set of Nations League matches

Wales fans will be delighted to know that Gareth Bale goes into the matches against Rep. of Ireland and Denmark in perfect form. For the seventh La Liga game in a row, Bale managed to hit the back of the net for Real Madrid with a superb strike.

Continue reading “Final Welsh player roundup before the first set of Nations League matches”