Wales and England o55s ends all square!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association welcomed an England squad to Cardiff for this o55s international match and a hard-fought encounter ended all-square!

In the first ‘Representative’ match of 2024, a strong and physical England side started well played at the Ocean Park Arena and could have taken the lead early on but Toop in the Welsh goal dealt with any threat. England, as always, were comfortable in possession, but Wales gradually fought their way into the game and started to play some fluent football of their own and a flowing move ended with Vince Lewis crashing home to put his side 1-0 up. The same player had a golden opportunity to extend the lead, but his delayed strike enabled the defender to recover. Late in the first half a superb block by Welsh defender, Steve Owen, prevented a certain score and the hosts still led going into the interval.

England were quick out of the traps in the second half and their speedy striker Manley finished well to make the scores level. Minutes later and Wales were awarded a ‘soft’ penalty which Lewis comfortably tucked home....albeit the penalty England were gifted late on was even softer...and although the big striker, Quinn, didn’t strike his spot-kick well, it just evaded Toop to make the scores level. With minutes remaining Fredriksen had the ball in the England net but was adjudged off-side and the game finished all-square.

Wales Manager, John Jones, was pleased with the performance but admitted “that was the best opportunity we’ve had to beat England for some time, and we need to learn from that.”

Squad....

D. Toop - Barry
P. Averies -Barry.
A. York - Merthyr.
S. Owen - Merthyr.
A. Thomas - Merthyr.
N. Romanello - Swansea.
M. Walker - Merthyr
V. Lewis - Penybont.
S. John - Penybont.
P -Sims - Barry.
M. Warman - Barry.
N. Lukaris - Newport.
D. Thompson – Newport.
M. Fredriksen – Newport.
P. Jones – Merthyr.