Wales o70s claim victory at Dragon Park

The Wales Veterans' Football Association hosted an o70s international match between Wales and England at FAW Dragon Park in Newport.....and were delighted when Wales deservedly lifted the NHS trophy...writes a pitch-side reporter...

The match was played in honour of England’s David ‘Geordie’ Salkeld, part of our devoted veterans’ football family, who sadly passed away on the 8th May. Both sets of players and supporters observed a minute’s applause prior to kick-of and contributed to a donation towards the Loros Hospice in Leicester.

Managers, Alun Huish and Jon Ross selected a strong squad in an effort to ‘reclaim’ the NHS Challenge Trophy and the strong ‘spine’ turned out to be the difference between the two sides. England started well with debutant, Gladwell, prominent in the early exchanges but the tide turned when Wales captain, Morgan, set off on one of his mazy runs and when an England hand stopped his through-ball, the resultant spot kick was gratefully converted by the Penybont talisman. This lifted the hosts and shortly afterwards the same player capitalised on confusion in the England ranks, before driving into the England penalty area and calmly slotting home. Wales were now dominating possession with Gerry Jones, skilfully orchestrating, ably supported by Rowlands, Diaper and Peterson. There were still a few flutters in central defence but any potential danger was doused by man-of-the-match, Brustad and keeper, Meacham, who’s reassuring handling meant his goal was rarely threatened and his side led 2-nil at the break.

The management rang the changes with thoughts of the o70s World cup clear in their minds, but the hosts maintained the upper hand. Rowlands went close before Morgan had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick...but fluffed his lines to spoil an otherwise faultless display. Further chances came and went including a Rowlands effort that hit a cow in a neighbouring field...but when the final whistle blew, all agreed, that this was a good day at the office for the Welsh faction and the sizable crowd that had gathered were undoubtedly impressed by the skill, fitness and resilience of these ‘seasoned’ campaigners!

Congratulations to the following players who were selected...
Alan Meacham (GK) - Swansea Vets
Glyn Jones - Swansea Vets
Phil Williams - Newport Vets
Paul ‘Sasha’ Young - Cuckoos Nest Vets
Paul Williams - Barry Town Vets
Phil Tovey - Swansea Vets
Handley Brustad - Newport Vets
Dave Abbott - Newport Vets
Mike Williams - Penybont Vets
John Rowlands - Newport Vets
Tony Boucher - Merthyr Tydfil Vets
Gerald Jones - Newport Vets
Paul Diaper - Newport Vets
Ian Dickinson - Newport Vets
Howard Peterson - Barry Town Vets
Peter Morgan - Penybont Vets
Mick Algieri - Swansea Vets