Kane on target as NI thrash Wales in Shield

The visitors dominated from the start and went in front after 7 minutes when Adam Salley met a pin point cross from the right by Lyndon Kane and beat the Welsh keeper with a powerful header from 6 yards.

The speed and directness of the Northern Ireland forwards and the forays down the right wing by Kane were causing problems for the home defence. Kane combined well with Andrew Hoey who cut the ball back to Andrew Mooney but the striker’s volley went over the bar. Soon afterwards Salley also blasted over the bar when well placed.

On 20 minutes Mark Sykes doubled the lead when he met a free kick by Kane and, though his first effort was blocked, Sykes steadied himself to slot home the rebound.

Andrew Mooney added a brilliant third goal on the half hour when he ran onto a precise pass from Salley, rounded the advancing keeper, and tapped the ball into the unguarded net.

Two minutes after the restart Kane got on the scoresheet with the best goal of the game. Kane and Sykes combined well to carve open the home defence and when Kane collected a neat chip by Sykes he made no mistake with a well placed shot.