Wales o65s lose England in Cardiff!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association invited England o65s to the Ocean Park Arena in Cardiff for an o65s international match...and the visitors comfortably retained the Dermot Gallagher Trophy...writes Rob Seago and a pitch-side reporter....

Manager, Rob Seago lost several key players to injury in the days leading up to this fixture, due to the exertions of the weekend’s o60s League and, to exacerbate the problem many of the players that took to the field, were not at their best against a very strong England squad.

The visitors were fast out of the blocks, playing with aggression, determination and no lack of ability.... and with the hosts starting sluggishly and without any real cohesion, the visitors forced an immediate corner and after just 3 minutes – poor marking by Wales allowed Coffill's corner to be headed goal-wards, unchallenged' to De Vera Davey, who had an age to lay the ball back for Mooney to crash home. Four minutes later England were two up, when mix-up between Welsh stopper, Meacham and defender, Fisher, allowed De Vera Davey to slam the ball home unchallenged.

Wales best player, Branch, tried to rally his despondent teammates and Edwards and Roberts did their best to stem the tide, but England should have gone further ahead, missing some gilt-edged chances and forcing, manager, Seago to ring the changes. Substitutes James and Moglia, both added desire to the team and Wales had their best spell for the last 20 minutes of the first half, although they never threatened the opponent’s goal.

As the second half started, England sprinted out of the traps again and within 2 minutes, man-of-the-match, Mooney, sent in a left-wing cross that was superbly met by Read at the back post and he finished from six yards. England largely dominated but again failed to convert some golden opportunities, including a Powell strike against the upright and a glaring miss from Bovington. The game was more even in the final 20 mins but England were happy with 3-0 lead and they were never in danger of conceding.

So, an under-par Wales were well-beaten by a clearly better England side and they retained the Dermot Gallagher Challenge Cup, which was presented to England Captain Peter Coffill by Mark Adams, Vice-President of the Welsh FA.

Congratulations to the following players who were selected by manager, Rob Seago....
Alan Meacham (GK)
Ian Edwards
Mike Roberts
Paul Fisher
Brian Broome
Jai Kowalski
Ian Thompson
Kevin Brown
Nick Moglia
Alun Huish
Steve Branch (Capt)
Mike Bobbett
Phil Gibb
Paul Staddon
Jon Williams
Stu Evans
Graham Miles
Anthony O’Sullivan
Kevin James
Mike Blackaby