Relieved Rob Earnshaw enjoys Cardiff goal
Last updated on .From the section Football
Cardiff City goal hero Rob Earnshaw was "feeling good" as he recovered from missing a sitter for Wales by helping the Bluebirds beat Doncaster Rovers.
The 30-year-old striker was "devastated" after missing an open goal as Wales lost 1-0 to England at Wembley on Tuesday in a Euro 2012 qualifier.
But Earnshaw responded by scoring his third goal this season in a comfortable 3-0 win over bottom side Doncaster.
"I'm obviously feeling good so it was great to get a goal," said Earnshaw.
"I'm very pleased for me and the team."
Earnshaw had endured some embarrassing headlines after missing a glorious second-half chance to claim a memorable draw for Wales at Wembley.
But with his international disappointment still fresh in the memory, Earnshaw struck the post inside the opening minute against Doncaster at Cardiff City Stadium.
The Wales forward did, however, complete a routine finish 15 minutes from time - after Peter Whittingham's set-up - to secure Cardiff's first win in four Championship games.
Earnshaw's manager Malky Mackay was confident that Cardiff's record-breaking goal-scorer would react to his midweek disappointment positively.
"The day afterwards when he came back, he banged in five in training," said Mackay.
"I have no doubt that top players have an inner belief and confidence that they get back up when they make mistakes and prove that they are good players - and it absolutely applies to people like Robert."
Earnshaw insisted in the aftermath of his Wembley miss that he would make amends against Doncaster - and so he did.
"It's what I'm here for," Earnshaw said after celebrating his 201st league goal.
"I want as many chances as possible. It was a good day to score and we needed it.
"We wanted to start sharp, we wanted to set the tempo, we want to be on the front foot, we want to put teams back and want them to fear us.
"It sets the standards. I think we're a good team if we do that and that's what we try and do more often than not."
Cardiff captain Anthony Gerrard headed the hosts into the lead in the 52nd minute before Earnshaw sealed the Welsh club's third league triumph.
