England and Wales o65s - scoreless!

28th April
WALES o65s travelled to Loughborough and fought out a 'dour' scoreless draw against a strong England team....reports Frank Lennon.

Wales opened brightly, enjoying around 70 percent of possession in the first 20 minutes with Swansea's Dai Veasey trying to use his pace to get behind the England defence and although the through-ball was lacking the pressure did yield a free kick in a dangerous position followed by two corners..but alas no result. England by now had warmed to the task, knocking the ball about impressively in the middle of the pitch...however, Wales keeper, Alan Meacham, and his English counterpart, Adrian Stannard could have made use of a couple of armchairs as the half- hour mark was reached with still no shots forthcoming.
Wales management, in an attempt to shake things up, brought on..Mick Algieri and Tim Morgan. Both suffered the same problem as Vaisey, but with these two pressing constantly, England's attacks were stifled even earlier and Wales defenders, MoM John Jordan, Sasha Young and full- backs Mike Roberts and Howard Peterson dealt with any England threat comfortably.The match continued as a midfield battle for the remainder of the half.

Both management teams made substitutions and switches which almost paid dividends for the visitors when Richard Owen's penetrative run and accurate cross sailed 'unscathed' past everyone, and despite a bit of huffing and puffing by Wales in the final ten minutes, their attacks, like those of their opponents, kept fizzling out as soon as the penalty-box came in sight...and when Dermot Gallagher blew the whistle for full time neither team had had a single attempt at goal!

Congratulations to the following players who were selected by Managers Alun Huish and Jon Ross...
Alan Meacham Swansea Uni
John Rowlands Newport (Capt)
Mick Algieri Swansea Uni
John Jordan Newport
Paul Young Newport
John Jordan Newport
Howard Peterson Barry Town
Paul Diaper Newport
Peter Morgan Penybont
Mike Roberts Penybont
Tim Bowker Barry Town
Tim Morgan Barry Town
Pat Penceth Penybont
Nick Gartside Newport
Richard Owen Merthyr Tydfil
Brian Caffell Merthyr Tydfil
Phil Williams Newport
Dai Veasey Swansea Uni
Terry Compton Newport