Handsome victory for Wales o70s

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation to send its World Cup winning o70s squad to face an England 'A' team in Royal Wootton Bassett and after receiving a warm welcome in their first fixture since lifting the World Cup trophy last August got down to business in the glorious Wiltshire sunshine.

Managers' Huish and Ross made everyone aware that they are now a real ‘scalp’ for opposing teams and they emphasised the need to start with real intent....and they did! Ok, the timing and accuracy was slightly awry, but Compton and Newton were dictating the tempo allowing strikers Morgan and Algieri to pressurise the England rear-guard and on fifteen minutes, fine interplay between Morgan and Compton enabled Diaper to crash home from the edge of the box. Any threat by the opponents was quickly doused by the excellent Young and Miller and their defensive partners. As a result, keeper, Meacham was rarely troubled and the visitors continued to dominate and on thirty-five minutes, captain, Young, charged forward on one of his many forays and confusion amongst the hosts allowed ‘skimpy shorts’ Algieri to clip home expertly, giving his side a 2-nil half-time lead.

During the interval the management rang the changes but once again reiterated the need to maintain the high standards in the second half...and despite some shortcomings, normal service was resumed! Debutant Assadi entered the frey and within seconds made his mark, literally! With 10 minutes remaining Assadi played a delicious weighted pass to man-of-the-match, Compton, who celebrated his birthday in style with a slick pass to talisman Morgan, who, typically, slipped through two defenders before side-footing home, to secure an emphatic victory for his side.

The managers were obviously delighted with the win but suggested “the performance was most pleasing and sets us up well for the match against England at St George’s Park in April and subsequently the World cup in Japan in September”.

England manager, Peter Burrows was also enthusiastic, saying Wales were "an excellent team, very fit, technically proficient, tactically astute and tough competitors."

Well done to the following players who maintained their exemplary record...

Alan Meacham - Swansea
John Jordan - Newport
Geoff Miller - Newport
Paul Young – Newport (Captain)
Paul Diaper - Newport
Peter Morgan - Penybont
Dave Abbott - Newport
Glyn Jones - Swansea
Peter Laffan - Swansea
Mick Algieri - Swansea
Ian Dickinson - Newport
Terry Compton - Newport
Howard Petersen - Barry Town
Landi Assadi - Swansea
Phil Newton – Merthyr