Wales o65s lose out to England

The Wales Veterans' Football Association welcomed an England squad to the SDM Glass Stadium, Bridgend for an o65s international match.

As expected, this was a full-blooded affair with the hosts quickly out of the traps and pressing well with Steve Branch and Jason Morgan prominent. But the passing throughout the team was awry and in the 20 minutes of dominance, Wales did not really force the England keeper into a meaningful save. Inevitably, the visitors quietly worked their way into the match and the dangerous John Powell would have given England the lead but for a great save by Welsh stopper Alan Meacham. Wales finally made the breakthrough, albeit slightly against the run of play, but when a Jason Morgan ball forward found debutant, Phil Fisher, he made no mistake with a fine shot to put the hosts ahead. England were not to be denied however and with further indecision in the Welsh defence John Powell crashed home a shot from 20 yards to take the teams in 1-1 at the interval.

The hosts came out in the second half with the same intensity as the first 20 minutes of the match and although they went close on a few occasions they were unable to find the Killer ball or get a sharp strike away - BUT then the game flipped on a controversial decision....Branch was left in a heap by England’s industrious Peter Coffil, who was able to thread a pass to Tony Flynn, who converted confidently. Wales were left reeling and as their heads dropped, Man of the match Peter Coffil and the excellent Chris Wintle started to dictate play and force another great save from Wales MoM, Meacham but when England striker Powell, scored his second with a well-taken strike, it looked all over for the Dragons. Wales bravely pressed forward, forcing several corners and with 5 minutes remaining, Mike Blackaby bundled home a deflected free kick from Stuart Evans....but England hung-on to retain the Dermot Gallagher trophy.

Congratulations to the following players, who were selected by the management team of Alun Huish, Jon Ross and Dave Eveleigh....
Alan Meacham (K) Swansea
John Jordan Newport
Geoff Miller Newport
Kevin Brown Barry Town
John Rowlands Newport
Terry Compton Newport
Steve Branch (c) Barry Town
Jason Morgan Penybont
Stuart Evans Pontyclun
Stuart Mackay Barry Town
Peter Morgan Penybont
Kevin James Newport
Dai Veasey Swansea
Phil Fisher Swansea
Mike Blackaby Pontyclun