Rampant Nathan Redmond hits treble as U21s beat Wales 3-1

The Norwich City winger proved to be the difference between the two sides when he scored the winner against Wales in Derby earlier this year and he was on the mark again at the Liberty Stadium.

After what has undoubtedly been a disappointing few months for the 19-year-old at club level, Redmond took out his frustration with a performance showing passion, determination and skill on a damp night in South Wales.

And the result made Gareth Southgate’s team all but certain of finishing finish top the of their qualifying group with two matches remaining. Second-placed Moldova have a game in hand, but need to beat England in Moldova and reverse a 16-goal deficit.

If Young Lions do finish top, they will still have to win a play-off to assure a Finals berth in the Czech Republic in June 2015.

Redmond outlined his intentions right from the off, and Welsh full-back Kieron Freeman was already having a torrid time before the clock had reached double figures as the England winger beat him twice only to see his crosses headed over by both Danny Ings and Jesse Lingard.

So it was no surprise when Redmond took matters into his own hands in the 18th minute, battling away to win the ball back on the left before drilling a low shot past Connor Roberts at his near post.

But the goal only seemed to prod the hosts into action and they drew level within two minutes of the opener with Gwion Edwards rising highest to flick home a near-post header from Lloyd Isgrove’s corner.

And Jack Butland was called into action soon after when Isgrove was sent clear on goal. The Southampton forward tried a chip, but the Three Lions skipper stood up to paw the ball to safety and keep his side level.

Redmond races past Kieron Freeman at the Liberty Stadium

Roberts then produced a remarkable treble save to keep Wales on level terms. A weighted through-ball from Tom Ince picked out Ings’ run perfectly and the onrushing Roberts did well to block the Burnley man’s dink. 

The ball fell back to the feet of Lingard, who saw two shots superbly smothered by Roberts, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Redmond put the Three Lions back ahead in the 38th minute – when Luke Garbutt and Lingard linked up to pick him out – and he made no mistake by smashing a low right-footer past Roberts and into the corner.

Redmond was clearly looking for a hat-trick and he almost found a third after an hour, when he burst in from the left and struck a low shot against the post.

England had further chances to increase their lead, as substitute Saido Berahino shot wide when through on goal and Lingard saw another effort blocked by the impressive Roberts.

Southgate was dealt a further blow in the later stages as sub Harry Kane was on the pitch for just six minutes before he limped off after a heavy challenge from George Ray to leave England even lighter in attack.

But the Three Lions, impressively marshalled by Michael Keane and Liam Moore in central defence, remained firm and the last word was left to Redmond as he stroked home a shot in stoppage time to complete his hat-trick.

Wales Under-21s (4-3-3): 1 Connor Roberts (Cheltenham Town); 2 Kieron Freeman (Derby County), 5 George Ray (Crewe Alexandra), 6 Joe Walsh (Crawley Town), 3 Declan John (Cardiff City); 4 Lee Lucas (Swansea City) (c), 8 Josh Pritchard (Fulham), 11 Lloyd Isgrove (Southampton); 7 Gwion Edwards (Swansea City), 9 Wes Burns (Bristol City), 10 Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Substitutes: 17 George Williams (Fulham) for Isgrove (40), 14 Tom O’Sullivan (Cardiff City) for Pritchard (42), 15 Danny Alfei (Swansea City) for Freeman (46).

Substitutes not used: 12 Danny Ward (Liverpool), 13 Morgan Fox (Charlton Athletic), 16 James Loveridge (Swansea City), 18 Robert Ogleby (Wrexham).

Manager: Geraint Williams

Goals: Gwion Edwards (20)

Cautions: N/A

England Under-21s (4-2-3-1): 1 Jack Butland (Stoke City) ©; 2 Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal), 5 Michael Keane (Manchester United), 6 Liam Moore (Leicester City), 3 Luke Garbutt (Everton); 4 Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), 8 James Ward-Prowse (Southampton); 7 Tom Ince (Blackpool), 10 Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), 11 Nathan Redmond (Norwich City); 9 Danny Ings (Burnley).

Substitutes: 17 Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) for Ings (56), 16 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) for Ince (79), 14 Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Kane (85).   

Substitutes not used: 12 Tyias Browning (Everton), 13 Jonathan Bond (Watford), 15 Jordan Obita (Reading), 18 Solly March (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Head Coach: Gareth Southgate

Goals:  Nathan Redmond (18, 38, 90).

Cautions: James Ward-Prowse (58), Nathanial Chalobah (70).

Referee: Artyom Kuchin (Kazakhstan)

Assistant referees: Yevgeniy Belskiy & Anatoliy Khodin

Fourth official: Ruslan Duzmambeto