Wales o45s defeat Maccabi GB

A strong Welsh Vets Over 45s squad travelled to the National Performance Centre, Lilleshall for match against Macabbi GB.
This was the first match of the season for the newly formed Welsh squad with 6 players making their representative debuts and they got off to a strong start pressing the home team backwards and into a mistake which enabled Darren Blandon to pick up the ball and play a stunning outside of the boot pass into Chris Summers and his fine strike left the Maccabi keeper flailing. The visitors continued with the high-press and when Ed Jones intercepted a loose pass and fed Ross Hutchins, he was able to beat his man and play a ball through for Summers who, again, finished with aplomb.

Maccabi then started to find their feet in the match and pressed forward for parity and although Wales looked very assured defensively, a good move from the hosts saw a great cross converted with a fantastic header....only for it to be judged offside. The game continued at a great tempo for the remainder of the half and the visitors led 0-2 at the break.

Wales Manager Paul Richards made a full set of changes for the second half and his side continued to dictate the tempo of the match and create several opportunities. With 15 minutes to go, Wales created a great opening down the right flank for Alun Williams to cross to Steve Davies, who calmly controlled the ball and slotted home for 3-0 a fantastic win for the new squad.

Manager, Paul ‘Ricky’ Richards in his first game in charge was very pleased with the result saying "this was a really encouraging, from the whistle everyone from goalkeeper Ian Davies to the replacement bench put in a great team performance."