Good win for Wales o65s after stodgy start!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation from Sheffield Veterans, to send an o65s Representative squad to Yorkshire to face their finest and won comfortably...in the end!

Although missing several key players, a strong squad travelled north and after an unglamorous 5+ hours journey on cramped minibus kicked-off 50 mins later! For the first 20 minutes the team were well out of sorts and although they still commanded the lion’s share of possession, they were careless in possession and wayward with their passing. The visitors took the lead when White finished neatly from close in, but the opposition were always a threat on the break and a calamitous mix-up in the Wales defence enabled the hosts to equalise. minutes later Wales conceded again, the result of another mix-up, and the drinks break couldn't come soon enough!

Wales improved, slightly, in the second quarter and White was on the scoresheet again bundling home after a mistake by the Sheffield keeper, and it was 2-2 going into the interval.

Manager, Gates made some changes at half-time and with the ‘travel fatigue’ now removed from their legs, fluency improved....Steer made an immediate impact, heading home powerfully and then crossing for teammate, Davies to head home acrobatically. Good work by Morgan (Jason) resulted in a penalty award and White duly completed his hat-trick. Debutant O'Sullivan scored the goal of the game finishing off a free-flowing move involving all the midfielders, and ending with a measured pass from White. Another penalty award to Wales, was handed to Evans, but his strike bobbled eight times before the hosts glove-man caught it in his hat! With 5 minutes remaining, Morgan (Peter), went on a customary mazy run and finished with aplomb to make the final score 2-6 to Wales.

This was ideal preparation for the forthcoming match against England at the SDM Stadium in Bridgend on November 6th.

Congratulations to the squad who were selected:
Howard Sully GK (Swansea)
Ian Thompson (Pontyclun)
Mike Roberts (Penybont)
Mike Blackaby (Barry Town)
Les Davies (Penybont)
Jason Morgan (Penybont)
Alun Huish Capt (Barry Town)
Anthony O’Sullivan (Merthyr Tydfil)
Kevin James (Newport)
Jeff White (Pontyclun)
Peter Morgan (Penybont)
Stu Evans (Barry Town)
Gavin Price (Barry Town)
Dick Steer (Penybont)