Fine win for Wales o40s!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association welcomed Llay Welfare from the North Wales Veterans o35s League, to Cardiff for a match against a WVFA o40s Representative team...and they came away with a fine win....writes Alun Huish....

Despite the long journey earlier in the day from Wrexham, the visitors sprinted out of the traps and immediately took the game to the hosts. Manager, Owen deployed 3 forwards to counter the expected pace and energy of the younger opposition and this restricted ‘Llay’ to playing long balls which were dealt with comfortably by the captain, Dodds and his fellow defenders. Danger man, Keddle soon came into the game and his pace and dynamism caused problems for the visitors and he slotted home the opener when he sprinted free after 15 minutes. On half hour mark, Brown entered the frey and scooped a fine chance wide with his first touch. He made no mistake minutes later, finishing off a super run and cross by Keddle to take his side 2-0 up at the break.

Llay got one back straight from the kick-off when the dangerous Pritchard drove home after a fluid move down the right. The same player failed to level the score when his penalty kick was well-saved by Wales stopper, Howe. Minutes later and (Wayne) Williams restored the hosts 2 goal advantage with a consummate finish. With 15minutes remaining, Llay pushed forward for parity and their MoM, Pritchard was well-placed again to crash home a deep cross. Keddle completed his MoM performance with another accomplished finish and was unlucky to be denied his hat-trick when his header was gathered by the visiting keeper, Owens. Brown scored his second to make the final score 5-2.

Manager Owen was pleased with the performance saying “this was a fine test for us, against a strong opponent, and I am delighted that we were able to extend our unbeaten run to 2 years.”

This match was part of the WVFAs commitment to develop the veterans' football community in Wales and their determination to establish a regular programme of fixtures with our colleagues in North Wales. We look forward to a return match during the summer.

Congratulations to the following players (and their clubs), who were selected Manager, Laurence Owen....

WVFA o40s...
Johnathon Howe - Ferndale
Ian Davies - Barry Town
Adie Evans - Ponthir
Lewis Andrews - Ponthir
Cei Mason - Ferndale
Damion Daniels - Penydarren
Mark Dodds (C) - Cardiff Corries
Jamie Hillier - Ponthir
Lewis Summers Ponthir
Liam Screen - Ponthir
Nathan Williams - Penydarren
Paul Keddle - Penydarren
Sam Brown - Llanelli
Scott Pike - Penydarren
Sean Jones - Llanelli
Lee Stone - Llanelli
Wayne Williams - Llanelli

Llay Welfare o35s

Chris Owens
Jonny Taylor
Mike Pritchard
Ian Williams
Daniel Richardson
Jason Edwards
Merv Thomas
Hugh Jones
Lee Phelan
James Carey
Gareth Williams
Kez Howells
Warren Duckett
Tinashe Mutunha
Ricky Evans
Stevie Evans
Ian Williams (Brilla)