Wales o55 win on the road

Wales Veterans’ Football sent an over 55s squad to Abingdon to play a representative match against Goring Vets in Oxfordshire.

Wales dominated possession and put Goring on the back foot from the kick off creating a number of half chances. After this early pressure the game evened out after 15 minutes as Wales’ mis-placed passes allowed Goring back into the game where they engineered a number of very good scoring opportunities but Welsh keeper, Gordon was up to the task, making two crucial saves. A shocked Wales bounced back as Murphy and Owens (S), Owen (A) and Seago regained control of the midfield setting up further good opportunities as the half went on with Murphy going close with a hooked shot just over the bar. Williams was a constant danger down the left-wing receiving quality balls from Davidson at left back. He put in a number of excellent crosses from his darting runs but Wales were unable to take advantage as Goring remained solid at the back. Towards the end of the half Wales should have taken the lead as Murphy once again got into a great position just outside the box, waltzed round three defenders and with only the keeper to beat dragged his shot wide from six yards. Wales continued to press with Stait, Seago and Otway combing well down the right. However, in the closing moments of the half Wales nearly paid dearly for Murphy’s earlier miss as Goring once again broke quickly from a disputed free kick. The resulting breakaway led to a 20yard shot against Gordon’s left-hand post. The half ended with the game stretched and half chances at both ends but the game remained scoreless going into the break.

The management gave the Welsh boys a stern talking to at half time centered around taking chances in front of goal but the team remained positive due to the many chances created.

In the second half an energised Wales freshened things up and subs were introduced at various stages. From the off Wales dominated possession once again and Goring were unable to produce the sharpness they showed up front in the first half. Any forward move was quickly snuffed out by Cleaver, Hill, and Averies who with the later addition of Thomas remained untroubled throughout the half. Wales took a deserved lead half way through the second half after a period of sustained pressure when Otway smacked a loose ball from the edge of the box low into the right-hand corner of the net. Rahman, Williams and Mele created more openings which could have led to further goals only to be let down by the final pass and a stalwart Goring defence. Better chances fell to Murphy and Rahman who came close only to see their efforts come off the bar and Owens (K) had a pure strike blocked on the six-yard line. A better chance fell to Owens (K) inside the box but he pulled his shot wide of the keeper and the post when he should have scored. With legs tiring Goring gained a corner from a rare breakaway and from it almost pinched an equaliser but Wales held on for a well-deserved 1-0 win.....

Squad:
John Gordon (Barry)
Haydn Stait (Barry)
Steve Hill (Barry)
Chris Cleaver (Merthyr)
Phil Davidson (Swansea)
Rob Seago (Pontyclun)
Steve Owens (Merthyr)
Dennis Murphy (Merthyr)
Andrew Owens (Pontyclun)
Paul Otway (Swansea)
Keith Williams (Swansea)
Pepe Mele (Pontyclun)
Steve Thomas (Newport)
Kevin Owens (Barry)
Ronnie Rahman (Barry)
Player Manager Paul Averies (Barry)