o65 football International

Wales Veterans' Football proudly hosted an o65s International match between Wales, wearing their new 'Admiral' sponsored kit, and England at the home of Penybont FC with the visitors lifting the trophy...writes Frank Lennon & Alun Huish...

After a very scrappy, wind- affected first quarter of an hour, England midfielder, David Groom, saw his wind-assisted, 30 yard strike, scream in-off the foot of the post to give the visitors the lead. Up to this point, they had been slightly the better side, although Wales new keeper Steve Ashton had not been disturbed. The England keeper, Brian Kirk, had been similarly inactive, until a rare purple patch from Wales, saw him leap into action, comfortably fielding a Dai Vaisey header and moments later parrying a Peter Morgan penalty-kick and, somehow, clawing the rebound from the same player away to safety....the "turning point of the game" according to England Supremo Ken Pollock! The hosts came more into the game after this setback and started to get on top in midfield, but although Brown, on for the injured Laffan made some promising runs at the opponent’s defence, there was little to cheer for the Welsh hoards on the terraces! England finished the half, back on top, and another firmly-hit shot forced a very decent save from Ashton in the last minute of the half.
With the wind at their backs after the break, Wales pressed forward. A Mike Robert’s free- kick flashed past the upright, Morgan almost managed to put Vaisey in on goal, and minutes later he found Algieri at the back post, who sadly could only shoot tamely toward goal. Another free-kick from the impressive Robert's just evaded Young, who was shortly afterwards replaced by Blackaby. As the hosts pressed for an equaliser, England broke forward, and with 5 minutes remaining, good interplay between Morley and George enabled 'Whites' striker John Powell to head home into an empty net. But this was a match where defenders were on top throughout..and opposing centre-halves England's Don Bradley and Wales' Sasha Young (just pipping the outstanding Gibb), deservedly collected the man-of-the-match awards. In truth, insufficient movement and creativity resulted in the 'much fancied' hosts, failing to test their opponents anywhere near the level expected...and visiting captain, Peter Coffill deservedly lifted the handsome 'Dermot Gallagher' trophy.

Congratulations to the following players who were selected by Managers Alun Huish, Jon Ross and Rob Seago...

Steve ASHTON(GK)Barry Town
Mick ALGIERI West Wales
Mike BLACKABY Barry Town
Kevin BROWN Barry Town
Terry COMPTON Newport
Paul DIAPER Newport
Phil GIBB Barry Town
John JORDAN Newport
Peter LAFFAN West Wales
Peter MORGAN Penybont
Pat PENKETH Penybont
Mike ROBERTS Barry Town
John ROWLANDS Newport
Dai VEASEY West Wales
Paul YOUNG Newport
Phil WILLIAMS Newport