NEWPORT’S James Collins enjoyed an eventful night as Wales beat Moldova 4-0 to get their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign off to a flying start.

The West Ham United centre-back, who turned 33 last month, won his 50th international cap when he replaced captain Ashley Williams eight minutes from time.

It was a proud moment for Collins, who first represented Wales as a Cardiff City player back in 2004.

“It was a great start to the mission to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and I’m over the moon to have made my 50th cap for my country,” said the defender.

“I feel very privileged to have played with so many great players and made memories that I will never forget.”

Free Press Series:

Williams, who played alongside Collins in Wales’ Euro 2016 semi-final defeat to Portugal in July (above), says the man universally known as ‘Ginge’ is a popular member of the squad.

“I was pleased for Ginge to get his 50th cap,” said the Wales skipper.

“He’s showed a great attitude since I've known him.

“He’s a very important part of the squad,” he added. “He’s a big personality. Very loud, a joker.

“He’s got loads of experience and he’s one of the older heads.

“It’s important that he comes all the time even if he's not playing as he has done.

“He's always positive and if you ask any of the lads he's very popular among the team and we were more than delighted to give him a round of applause in the dressing room for getting to 50 caps.”

Collins’ evening at the Cardiff City Stadium did not get off to the best of starts, however.

During the warm-up he managed to hit a small child in the face with a wayward shot at goal.

The incident left six-year-old Ryan Evans dazed and confused as he was checked over by stadium medics.

Concerned by what had happened, Collins climbed into the stands to check on Ryan before disappearing and returning with a special gift – a Gareth Bale shirt.

And Collins followed that up by contacting Ryan’s dad Darren via social media and promising to send a West Ham kit and a new pair of boots.

In a message to the family, Collins wrote: "So glad to hear that he's ok, I'm very sorry, it was an awful shot.

"I've got three children myself so would understand how concerned it probably made you feel and how upset it must have made Ryan.

"I should probably stick to defending and not shooting!!”