Tough day for Wales o45s in North Wales!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation from Rhydymwyn FC, to send an o45s squad to face the Flintshire outfit who play in the North Wales Veterans o35s League. But it turned out to be a tough day at the office...writes Wales Manager, Paul Richards......

Rhydymwyn Over 35s were a strong and physical test for our lads and they started strongly with their midfield and forwards quickly moving the ball to create a couple of early chances. Wales had an opening created by Hosgood and Davies latched onto the pass but pulled the shot wide. But it was the hosts who took the lead, when Bacon rounded Davies in the Welsh goal with clever finish.

The visitors started to get some joy down the right-hand side with Rees going close. Wales were awarded a penalty after Aldridge was bundled over but Phelan’s spot-kick was well saved by the home keeper. The home side then reacted and had the best of the final minutes of the first half and extended their lead with a great passing move and finish from a tight angle by Worthington.

As the second half got underway, Wales started to get the ball moving and looked to get a hold of possession, but the home side’s transitions were excellent with Kenworthy at the heart of their commanding second half performance and further goals followed from Worthington again, Dan Jones and Johns. With 5 mins to go, they were awarded a penalty but Wales gloveman, Davies saved superbly. Wales had a couple of late opportunities but found the home defence in excellent form and they kept a clean sheet.

The game was played in a highly competitive manner but with sportsmanship at the heart and Wales Manager, Paul Richards was quick to complement the opponents, saying “ We’ve got no complaints, they had 3 or 4 very sharp players and won the midfield battles and put their chances away clinically, but the biggest winner was a new friendship with a top North Wales veterans team, who want a return fixture in Cardiff later in the year.”

This is the second match, in as many weeks, against North Wales opposition and demonstrates the WVFAs commitment to establish closer links with our colleagues in the North of the country. Congratulations to the following players (and their clubs), who were selected....

1. Ian Davies - Barry Town FC
2. ⁠Leigh Downing - Briton Ferry Llansawel FC
3. ⁠Steve Blackford - Llanelli Town FC
4. ⁠Richard Taylor - Ferndale FC
5. ⁠Mark Hanford - Briton Ferry Llansawel FC
6. ⁠Kristoffer Rees - Ferndale FC
7. ⁠Mike Walsh - Briton Ferry Llansawel FC
8. ⁠Leon Thomas - Llanelli Town FC
9. ⁠Nathan Hosgood - Barry Town FC
10. ⁠Rob Aldridge- Barry Town FC
11. ⁠Steve Davies - Briton Ferry Llansawel FC
12. ⁠Geraint Davies - Penydarren BGC
13. ⁠Rhys Llewellyn - Llantwit Fardre FC
14. ⁠Lee Phelan - Llay Welfare FC
15. ⁠Neil Tecconi - Llantwit Fardre FC
16. ⁠Gareth Jones - Ferndale FC

Manager: Paul Richards
Asst Manager: Paul Averies

Rhydymwyn Veterans FC

1. Lewis Dakin
2) John Shepherd
3) Mathew Bennett
4) Nick Voyle
5) Mark Williams (c)
6) Lee Jones
7) Craig Worthington
8) Ian Roberts
9) Sean Wilkes
10) Antony Wearden
11) Gavin Hughes
12) Daniel Jones
14) Daniel Buchanan
15) Daniel Ventre
16) Brett Johns
17) Jon Kenworthy
18) Sam Scott
19) Carl Wright

Manager - Nick Voyle
Assistant Manager - Ian Cropper
Team Helper - Riley Hughes