Simon Church and Wales got their Euro 2016 campaign off to the perfect start with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.
In their first major tournament fixture in over 50 years, Chris Coleman’s men picked up a vital three points from their opener in Bordeaux.
Church, along with MK Dons Academy graduate George Williams, was on the bench for Wales, whose starting XI included Real Madrid star Gareth Bale and former MK Dons loanee Jonny Williams and it was those two players were involved in the opening goal.
Williams was tripped just outside the D in the ninth minute which presented Bale with the ideal chance to score – he stepped up and sent a dipping free-kick beyond goalkeeper Matus Kozacik to give Wales a half-time lead.
Their advantage lasted until the hour mark when Slovakia finally made their pressure tell through Ondrej Duda’s low strike.
Wales, though, snatched a winning goal in the 81st minute when Hal Robson-Kanu pounced on Aaron Ramsey’s heavy touch and fired a scuffed shot into the bottom right corner.
The victory gives Church and Co, who top Group B after the first round of fixtures, an excellent chance of reaching the Last 16.
They face England in their next match on Thursday afternoon.
Church, along with MK Dons Academy graduate George Williams, was on the bench for Wales, whose starting XI included Real Madrid star Gareth Bale and former MK Dons loanee Jonny Williams and it was those two players were involved in the opening goal.
Williams was tripped just outside the D in the ninth minute which presented Bale with the ideal chance to score – he stepped up and sent a dipping free-kick beyond goalkeeper Matus Kozacik to give Wales a half-time lead.
Their advantage lasted until the hour mark when Slovakia finally made their pressure tell through Ondrej Duda’s low strike.
Wales, though, snatched a winning goal in the 81st minute when Hal Robson-Kanu pounced on Aaron Ramsey’s heavy touch and fired a scuffed shot into the bottom right corner.
The victory gives Church and Co, who top Group B after the first round of fixtures, an excellent chance of reaching the Last 16.
They face England in their next match on Thursday afternoon.
