O70s out-fought in Cambridgeshire!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation to send an o70s squad to face England, and after a 6-hour journey to a crisp and sunny Cambridgeshire, the hosts comfortably snatched-back the NHS Challenge Trophy...writes a pitch-side reporter...

Although shorn of a several key players, Manager, Alun Huish was still able to take a strong squad to the Quattro-Tech Stadium, home of St Ives FC...although a combination of travel fatigue, a blinding low sun, inaccurate passing, Wales were taught a lesson by their fast and physical opponents.

From the whistle, England pinned back the visitors, the pace and energy of strikers, Beale, Love, Gregory and Ellis causing panic in the Welsh defence and on 20 minutes they deservedly scored. Following a catalogue of errors, Beale’s tame shot agonisingly trickled over the line past Jordan, Young and keeper Phil Williams. Wales continued to labour with only MoM Dave Abbott rising above the mediocrity, and, inevitably, a second came, this time Dragon’s captain Young inexplicably slotting into his own goal. England scored a third on the stroke of half-time, speedy winger, Love, firing past the helpless Welsh glove-man and taking the game beyond the visitors.

As the second half started, it seemed that the rousing half-time team-talk by manager, Huish, had the desired affect and the visitors poured forward with real intent, and England, now playing into the sun, were forced into a defiant rear-guard action and Lillywhites Keeper, John Sykes saved well from Mike Williams and danger-man Peter Morgan, who was being well-marshalled by at least 2 English defenders. But the hosts were able to hold on to their comfortable lead until the final whistle and gleefully lifted the NHS Challenge Trophy.

Wales manager, Huish was philosophical saying "we just didn't turn up in the first half today, but the squad showed great character in the second period and we can look forward with confidence to the return fixture early in 2024."

Congratulations to the following players who were selected...
Phil Williams Newport
Paul Young The TESCO Tearaways
John Jordan Newport
Billy Arnold Merthyr Tydfil
Paul Williams Barry Town
Mike Williams Penybont
Tony Boucher Merthyr Tydfil
Dave Abbott Newport
Glyn Jones Swansea
Howard Peterson Barry Town
Nigel Gallagher Newport
Peter Morgan* Penybont
Paul Diaper* Newport
Handley Brustad Newport
Tim Bowker* Barry Town