Wales o70s defeat England ‘B’!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association invited an England o70s ‘B’ team to face their o70s Representative squad at Ocean Park Arena, Cardiff and a deserved Wales win extended their unbeaten run to 2 years!

In the first opportunity since successfully defending their o70s World Cup crown in Tokyo, managers, Huish and Ross, were able to bring in and assess the potential of several new players...and the hosts made a sprightly start with Newton and Rowlands, ably supported by Waygood and Algieri, controlling the midfield and full-backs Williams and Laffan influential. Forwards, Gartside, Algieri and particularly, Morgan, were causing problems for the England back-line.... and several passes into the 6-yard box went begging, which, with greater ruthlessness, should have given Wales the lead.

Changes were made at the water-break and Wales surrendered some of their midfield dominance, and, although Miller made an impact, the game was still score-less going into half-time.

The second half resumed, but further changes to personnel and formation, inevitably led to a lack of cohesion, but Newton, Rowlands and debutants Bryn Davies and Hywel Evans regained control of the midfield, enabling the latter to latch onto a loose ball in the opponent’s area and stab home (powerfully?), at the second attempt, to give Wales the lead. The visitors sought parity and enjoyed more of the ball in the second half, with several quality players in their ranks, but the Wales centre-back pairing of Sasha Young and captain, Gibb, were peerless and keeper, Sully, was rarely troubled and the hosts, comfortably, went on to take the win.

This was a good test for the Wales o70s and against decent opposition, but to come away with a win, so soon after the exertions in Japan and with so many new faces, is a fine achievement. It was good to welcome back John Rowlands and many of the new players acquitted themselves well and it was great to see Dave Abbott, putting in an almost flawless performance in his last game before going in for treatment...and we wish him all the best for a speedy recover.

The managers now have to assemble a strong squad for next month’s encounter against England and look to build towards the 2026 World Cup in Australia....but with the current players looking fit, key players to come back in and several new players putting their ‘hands-up’, the future is looking positive.

Congratulations to the following players who were selected...
Howard Sully (GK)
Landi Assadi
Martyn Waygood
Phil Williams
Nick Gartside
Bryn Jones
Bryn Davies
Colin Errington
Hywel Evans
Phil Newton
Paul Young
Phil Gibb
Geoff Miller
John Rowlands
Peter Morgan
Dave Abbott
Peter Laffan
Mick Algieri