Fine win for Wales o45s at Lilleshall!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation to send an o45s squad to Shropshire to face a Maccabi GB team at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, and they came away with a fine win...writes Manager, Paul ‘Ricky’ Richards...

The manager gave a Wales Veterans' debut to Llay Welfare player and former Wrexham and Wales defender, Steve Evans, the fourth North Walian to represent the WVFA. In another first, Anthony and Richard Ferguson become the first brothers to feature in the same squad.

The game started slowly with both teams having equal possession but cancelling each other out in the final third of the field. Wales broke the deadlock when an Anthony Ferguson long throw was headed on by Jamie Michaels and deflected into the goal off a Maccabi defender. Wales continued to enjoy more possession with Steve Davies and Steve Lewis both going close. The Maccabi captain on the day was a real driver for the opposition and created an opportunity for himself but it was well saved by Richard Morgan in goal. Welsh skipper Anthony Ferguson, Leon Thomas and Jamie Michaels started to get hold of the game and created chances for Rob Aldridge and Davies, only for them to see their efforts well saved before the interval.

In the second half Wales continued to push forward with the security of Evans and Nevin Riches at the back, who were both having great games, and finally after some great football, Steve Davies set up Rob Aldridge to extend their lead. The visitors continued to push forward and should have increased their lead but Maccabi were resilient and then scored the goal of the game with a curling shot into the top corner from 25 yards out with 5 mins to play. They pushed hard to find an equaliser, but Wales stood strong and held out for a deserved 2-1 win.

Manager, Paul Richards, was obviously thrilled with the result, saying “This was a wonderful, physical game played at a high intensity and in a great spirit, and it was a well-deserved win”.

Congratulations to the following players, who were selected to make the trip:

1. Ian Davies - Barry Town
2. ⁠Richard Morgan - Barry Town
3. ⁠Richard Taylor - Ferndale
4. ⁠Chris Harding - Briton Ferry Llansawel
5. ⁠Paul Richards - Barry Town
6. ⁠Geesy Rees - Ferndale
7. ⁠Mike Walsh - Briton Ferry Llansawel
8. ⁠Anthony Ferguson - Barry Town
9. ⁠Steve Davies - Briton Ferry Llansawel
10. ⁠Jon Kenworthy - Rhydymwyn FC
11. ⁠Leon Thomas - Llanelli Town
12. ⁠Jamie Michaels - Ferndale
13. ⁠Steve Lewis - Upper Rhondda FC
14. ⁠Steve Evans - Llay Wealfare FC
15. ⁠Nev Riches - Barry Town
16. ⁠Jamie Harries - Llanelli Town
17. ⁠Rob Aldridge - Barry Town
18. ⁠Richard Ferguson - Barry Town