Wales Vets match raises £2k for charity!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation to send a ‘select’ o40s/o45s squad to Market Harborough FC to face their o35s and returned home with the trophy following an excellent 4nil win...writes Manager, Paul Richards...

The match, which raised £2k in aid of the Squires Effect Charity, started at a frantic pace, with Wales pressing the opposition and playing a high line defence. This led to an early opportunity for Ross Daniels but his effort was well saved by the home keeper. The home team reacted and got in behind the visitors defence with a slick passing move, but found Richard Morgan in fine form, saving the shot comfortably. Wales continued to press the opposition with Nathan Hosgood and Rhys Llewellyn both going close. The breakthrough came after a passing interchange between Shaun Butler and Gareth Jones put Jones in down the right wing and his superb low cross was nearly finished by Llewelyn who was also captain for the game. The visitors continued to out play the home team and after a sweeping move involving several players, Jones crossed from the right wing again and his cross this time found Paul Davey who narrowly missed the target.

Second half started with Darren Blandon bringing energy and tenacity to the Welsh midfield and after he pressed the home keeper into a mistake, Garon Davies struck a screamer from distance but was well saved. Craig Roberts again pressed the home defence into a mistake and put Llewellyn through, he played it out to Leigh Downing who’s low cross was well finished by Davey. With 15 minutes to go, Wales won the ball back in midfield and Jones put Daniels through who finished superbly pass the home keeper. With 7 mins to go, Wales sealed an impressive victory with Hosgood winning the ball and putting Daniels through who finished again in style.

Manager, Paul Richards was cock-a-hoop after the win saying “a 4-0 win with 6 players making their Welsh vets debut is a real achievement, and it’s always great to bring a trophy home.”

Congratulations to the following players who were selected....

1. Richard Morgan - Barry Town
2. ⁠Ceri Mathias - Ynyscynon
3. ⁠Steve Morgan - Llantwit Fardre
4. ⁠David Davey - Barry Town
5. ⁠Gareth Jones - Ferndale
6. ⁠Lee Morgan – Briton Ferry Llansawel
7. ⁠Rhys Llewellyn - Llantwit Fardre
8. ⁠Shaun Butler - Llantwit Fardre
9. ⁠Paul Davey – Llanelli Town
10. ⁠Darren Blandon - Barry Town
11. ⁠Garon Davies - Barry Town
12. ⁠Ross Daniels - Penydarren
13. ⁠Leigh Downing - Briton Ferry Llansawel
14. ⁠Nathan Hosgood - Barry Town
15. ⁠Craig Roberts - Llantwit Fardre