Wales 1-0 Montenegro: Bellamy's side continue unbeaten run

  • Wales Forward Mark Harris praises Bellamy's unbeaten start as head coach following his side's win against Montenegro on Monday night.


A Harry Wilson penalty was enough to see Wales beat Montenegro 1-0 in the capital on Monday night.

The hosts at the Cardiff City Stadium worked two early corners down the right-hand side before the first big chance of the match.

Wilson's inswinger found Wes Burns at the back post but the winger couldn't get his diving header on target form six yards out.

As the game approached the 15 minute mark, it was all heading in one direction. Every player was within 40 yards of the Montenegro goal - apart from the hosts' goalkeeper Karl Darlow - when David Brooks worked an opening on the edge of the box. It was begging to be hit but after a moment's hesitation the chance was gone.

Wilson soon worked the hands of Igor Nikic in the Montenegro goal moments later after bursting into the box, and striker Mark Harris was inches away from tapping Neco Williams' cross into the net.

It was a lively start from Craig Bellamy's side but they had nothing to show for their endeavour.

Wales huffed and puffed as the game ticked over the half hour mark, which is when Brooks forced a good save from Nikic with a low shot from 30 yards out.

The hosts then took a short corner and Wilson was brought down on the corner of the box by Vladimir Jovovic. Slovakian referee Filip Glova pointed to the spot and Wilson made no mistake, giving his side a deserved lead.

The Fulham man went close again just before half time but his left-footed shot from the edge of the area went just wide after some good hold-up play from striker Harris.

Wales had enjoyed over 70% of the possession in the first half but were unable to extend their lead before the break.

The second half started largely without incident but there was a scare for the hosts in the 57th minute. Andrija Radulovic cut inside and his left-footed shot from distance rattled Karl Darlow's crossbar.

Shortly after, Joe Allen received rapturous applause when he entered the field a substitute for David Brooks. The Swansea midfielder earning his 78th cap after coming out of international retirement.

And before the hour mark was up, Wes Burns got in behind down the near side but red shirts got in each other's way when he cut the ball back towards the penalty spot.

The plethora of substitutions from both sides had disrupted the flow of the match but both sides were still attacking with purpose, even if shots on target were in short supply.

As the game ticked towards the 80th minute, Wales broke through Williams up the far side. His early ball found substitute Nathan Broadhead in the middle but he couldn't sort his feet out and one again the Welsh attack malfunctioned in the final third.

A one-goal lead felt like a dangerous one, but there was to be no disaster for Bellamy.

Williams tested Nikic with a free-kick from the edge of the area in added time but it finished 1-0.

Wales could have had three or four had they shown a more clinical edge but one was all it took.

Wales XI: Karl Darlow; Ben Cabango, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies; Wes Burns, Harry Wilson, Josh Sheehan, Neco Williams; Liam Cullen, David Brooks, Mark Harris.

Montenegro XI: Igor Nikic; Adam Marusic, Igor Vujacic, Nikola Sipcic, Andrija Vukcevic; Marko Bakic, Marko Jankovic, Vladimir Jovovic; Nikola Krstovic, Driton Camaj, Stefan Mugosa.