Wales win two and draw one in Majorca!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association sent an o45s Representative squad to Majorca for 3 stern footballing tests ...and they passed with honours ....writes manager, Paul Richards...

Game 3 - RCD Majorca 2 Wales Vets 3
Wales final match of the tour was the toughest test yet and held at the RCD Majorca club training facilities.The game started strongly for RDC Majorca with fantastic passing and movement putting Wales under early pressure. But as the half progressed, Wales started to dominate and utilised the pace of Daniels and Keddle to get in behind the opposition defence and they took the lead with a stunning diving header from Keddle.The visitors were really taking the game to the opposition with Matthews and Williams linking well with the Welsh midfield, but just before half time, RCD Majorca scored with an excellent low drive past Ian Davies in goal, after a neat interplay.

Half time and the message from the Welsh management team was to keep playing the same way and exploit the space in behind the opposition back line and Wales did just that and Murray made a fantastic break down the right, going past 3 players and laying on Wales first attempt at goal. Anthony Ferguson and Jamie Michaels were starting to dominate the midfield and created a number of scoring opportunities before MOTM, Keddle final broke through the Home defence, rounded the keeper and put Wales back in the lead. Wales continued to press forward and with 10 minutes to go, Ben Bannon scored after a great team move. The hosts pressed hard for parity, putting 4 up front but found it hard to break through the stubborn Welsh defence, until with the last kick of the match, the impressive Majorca play-maker shot from the edge of the box, leaving Davies no chance, but the visitors finished the game with an historic 3-2 victory and ended the successful tour undefeated.

Game 2 - Athletico Baleras 0 Wales Vets 3
In an amazing setting for Wales second match of the tour, Wales had plenty of early possession against a very talented Baleras side with Paul Jones and Anthony Ferguson controlling the middle of the park and the pace of Paul Keddle and Damien Daniels down the wings caused the opposition lots of problems. Welsh stopper, Ian Davies was then called upon to make a crucial save, following a fluid move from hosts. This gave the visitors a jolt and they duly took the lead when Ross Hutchins bore down on goal and selflessly laid on a debut goal for Rhys Llewelyn. Wales continued to play with confidence and after a number of early changes, the team continued to take the game to Baleras and they still led 0-1 at the interval.

Early in the second half Wales extended their lead with a great finish from Ben Bannon. They continued to pile the pressure on their opponents whilst looking extremely solid in defence with MOTM, David Davey's pace a real asset, particularly when he came from nowhere to hook the ball off the line, after Ian Davies had made an initial save. Jamie Michaels and Cerison Davies created another opening for Bannon to score his second of the day. Baleras tried to get back in the game and changed their formation to put more pressure on the Welsh defence, but that never phased Wales who finished the game 3-0 winners.

Game 1 - Manacor 2 v Welsh Vets 2
Wales started strongly in the first game of the stifling hot Majorca Tour 2024, with plenty of early possession and several opportunities created for Llewellyn and Keddle, but it was Manacor, who after lifting the tempo, took the lead following a fine flowing move and finish. The first half continued with end to end action and further chances fell to Hutchins and Ferguson but the score remained at 1-0 going into the interval.

Half time changes included a change in formation which put Wales immediately on the front foot and within seconds of the restart a powerful run down the left and low cross from Llewelyn, was bundled home by Hutchins for the equaliser. The fitness levels and ball movement from Wales started to bare fruit and a great corner from Daniels enabled Ed Jones to give Wales the lead with a towering header. The hosts pushed for an equaliser but keeper and MOTM, Ian Davies, kept them at bay with some first class saves, but with only minutes remaining, Manacor scored with a great strike and a fine game, played in a great spirit finished at 2-2.

Wales now look forward to their final game... v RCD Mallorca