Wales battle to win - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Wales battle to win

Wales got the confidence-boosting win they so desperately needed after a dismal run of form, with David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey both scoring in a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein.

Vaughan fired home from close range from a fine Gareth Bale cross early on in this World Cup qualifying Group Four clash in Vaduz.

But Wales had to wait until 10 minutes from time for teenager Ramsey to fire home a clever free-kick from the edge of the box.

Wales' 400 travelling fans were almost rewarded with a third-minute goal when Gareth Bale got to the byline on the first of many occasions, and fired in a cross that both Jermaine Easter and David Edwards missed from close range. Another Bale chip somehow evaded David Edwards' near-post leap before Easter set-up Vaughan, but another close-range chance went begging.

Wales got themselves ahead after 16 minutes when Bale was again played in on the left to produce a low cross that Vaughan hammered in from close range for his first goal for Wales on his 16th appearance.

Easter should have added a second when he ran onto a Bale long ball, but he delayed his shot enough to allow goalkeeper Peter Jehle to block the effort with his legs.

James Collins, captain for the first time, headed wide from a Gunter free-kick with Wales needing the security of another goal. Ramsey's clever chip then almost set-up Simon Church, while Easter was penalised for hand-ball when he bustled home a Bale cross.

10 minutes from time, Wales got their second and there was instant relief in the Welsh ranks. Bale was tripped just outside the box by Yves Oehri, and Ramsey curled home the free-kick for his first senior goal for Wales.

Easter was through again in the final minute, and another chance went begging, but Wales were just grateful for small mercies.

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