Wales o55s retain 4-nations title!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation from hosts, Maccabi GB, to participate in the 2025 Four Nations Tournament in London against teams from Maccabi, England and Northern Ireland. .... and with three wins over three arduous days, full of banter, fun and new friendships, Wales ran out worthy champions.....writes Peter Francombe...

Friday 5th
Wales 5, Northern Ireland 1
Northern Ireland provided an evenly contested first half but Wales took a late two goal advantage through John-Paul Kennedy, into half time. In the second half an early goal from Mike Fredriksen took the wind out of the Irish and encouraged Wales to push forward. Their endeavours led to two more quality goals through Clive Evans and Huw Davies, with the brave Irish gaining a deserved consolation goal before the final whistle.

Saturday 6th
England 0, Wales 3
Wales headed into the big one in the knowledge that a win could put them on the brink of a tournament win because of their opponents, somewhat surprising, drew their opening game against the hosts.

England started very strongly and Wales didn’t, but thoughts of a recent hiding in a pre-tournament friendly spurred Wales into action and slowly but very surely they started to gain parity and once a worthy first half goal was scored by Fredricksen, the inevitable win was secured. Two second-half strikes by Fredricksen and Warren Jones, left Wales in a position of great superiority heading into the last round.

Sunday 7th
Maccabi GB 1, Wales 2
Always the hardest test of the tournament – the third and final game in three days. Wales were unable to repeat the high-intensity of the previous days outstanding performance and found themselves in an even game with few chances created by either side, but they did manage to net a couple of breakaway goals through Huw Davies and Clive Evans, towards the end of the first half.
The hosts dominated much of the second half and their persistence led to Wales conceding a second tournament goal mid-way through the half. However, the men in red held on to secure a third win and their first back-to-back championship win.

Huge Congratulations to a magnificent squad, selected by the management team...
1. John Bailey (Merthyr)
2. Andrew York (C) (Merthyr)
3. Gareth Morgan (Swansea)
4. J. Clarke (The Continental)
5. Steve Owen (VC)(Merthyr)
6. Colin Bagley (Merthyr)
7. Ian Burman (The Continental)
8. Keith Williams (Swansea)
9. A. Lewis (Continental)
10. Darren Nippers (Continental)
11. Steve John (Penybont)
12. Anthony Thomas (Merthyr)
13. Clive Evans (Merthyr)
14. John-Paul Kennedy (Briton Ferry Llansawel)
15. Darren Thompson (Continental)
16. Mike Fredriksen (Barry Town)
17. Warren Jones (Barry Town)
18. Huw Davies (Llanelli Town)
19. Paul Sim (Barry Town)

Manager: John Jones
Assistant manager: Peter Francombe
Coaches: Dave Murray. Paul Averies