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NORTHERN Ireland's new breed of Under-21s fell to a thumping 4-0 home defeat to Wales in this Nationwide International at The Oval.

 

They got off to an absolutely disastrous start when, after barely 36 minutes, Sam Vokes - making his debut at this level - fired Wales in front from close range after meeting a cross from Ched Evans.

 

And worse followed on 11 minutes after Joe Jacobson floated a 22-yard free-kick past stranded 'keeper Jonathan Tuffey.

 

Number three then arrived on the half-hour mark after Evans headed home another Jacobson set piece.

 

A nightmare start in anyone's book although Roy Millar's side did create openings through Craig Cathcart - on his 18th birthday - and the more experienced Kieran McKenna, who severely tested keeper Wayne Hennessey with a rasping 25-yard drive.

 

The opening exchanges of the second half were no better. Once again the Welsh found the net in the opening minute when Evans beat Tuffey again for his second of the game.

 

Thankfully that was the end of the scoring but this will be one outing that boss Millar, with so many notable successes to his name in recent seasons, will be eager to forget.

 

Northern Ireland: Tuffey, Casement, McCaffrey, Cathcart, McArdle, Howland, Mulgrew, McKenna, Stewart, Fordyce, Hazley subs Carson (replaced Tuffey 63), Armstrong (replaced McCaffrey 46), J. Ward (Cathcart 63), Taylor (replaced McArdle 46), Paterson (replaced Mulgrew 46), Callaghan (replaced Stewart 46), Buchanan (replaced Hazley 55), Corcoran (not used)

 

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Jacobson, Edwards, Rhys Williams, Mike Williams, Grubb, Collins, Vokes, Evans, Warlow subs Williams (replaced Hennessey 57), Jones (replaced Gunter 46), Flynn (replaced Edwards 57), Davies (replaced Grubb 46), Bradley (replaced Collins 46), Blake (replaced Vokes 67), James (replaced Warlow 70)

 

Referee: D. McKeon (Rep. Ireland)