World's First o70s International

In the recent over 70s International match a classy England squad recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory over a determined Wales at St George’s Park. With ill-health very much in focus recently, it was fitting that the teams played for the NHS Challenge Trophy......in recognition of the efforts made by NHS staff and also to underline the curative and preventative benefits that physical exercise can provide for all.

From the moment 104 year old John Shannon kicked off, the hosts looked fitter, sharper, better organised and more courageous in possession than their Welsh counterparts who, despite suffering a series of injuries, fought bravely until Dermot Gallagher’s final whistle.

In the first quarter both sides enjoyed a fair share of possession but, for Wales, it was invariably deep in their own half. This may have been down to the opposition’s potency, particularly from striker Beel, but more likely a lack of fitness and confidence. Subsequently passes were not quite accurate enough or controlled well enough or given away too easily...and it seemed almost inevitable that England would score...but when they did....it could have been prevented. Fletcher tapped in at the far post after the ball had pin-balled in Wales’ area for what seemed like an age.

Inevitably, Wales were exposed further when they attempted to chase the game and when man-of-the-match Hargreaves slalomed through the Welsh hordes and squared for Beel to tap home, the visitors were grateful only to be two goals down going into the break.

Early into the second half Wales lost keeper Beach and from then on it was damage limitation and they sat ever deeper and allowed England to dictate. Three Lions Player-manager Pollock marshalled his troops with real authority, Gentle, Unwin, and Warren were busy and Hargreaves and Beal were a constant threat, the latter scoring his second and sealing the win.
There were some real positives....at the back, ‘newcomer’ Gareth Davies looked assured before and after a nasty head injury and Tovey and Brustad were indefatigable, after an edgy start. In midfield Entwhistle was lively and Wales’ man of the match Gerald Jones was at least trying to make things happen even when faced by a wall of white shirts. Up front another debutant, Billy Arnold looked lively, before he also succumbed to injury.

England have indeed set the bar high with this age group...and Wales need to step up, in regards to fitness, ability and organisation in order to compete at this level...and there lies a clear message to players and management alike! There were some good periods of possession but too many players looked, well frankly unfit, and losing seven players to leg injuries tells its own story! That said, Wales Veterans' Football were proud to participate in the World's 'first' ever o70s international match and they left Burton-on-Trent, with their heads held high in the knowledge that this was a wonderful achievement by everyone involved...and the real winners...veterans’ football!

1. GK Fred Beach
2. Handley Brustad
3. Gareth Davies
4. Bob Nelson
5. Phil Tovey
6. John Convery
7. Gerald Jones
8. Mike Williams
9. Dennis Murphy
10. Steve Hold
11. Mark Entwhistle
12. Frank Lennon
13. Jeff Dudley
14. Billy Arnold
15. Tony Jones
plus..
16. Dave Mayer
17. Steve Humphries
18. Keith Beardmore