o70s finishes all-square at Newmarket!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted an invitation to send its World Cup winning o70s squad to Suffolk to face a strong England team at Newmarket’s Tristel Global Stadium, and although the match was tied, it was entertaining game, despite the lack of goals.

A revamped Welsh squad faced a re-invigorated England with several new faces in their line-up including the dangerous Steer and Mole, who flew out of the traps and created several half-chances before Wales finally got to grips with the game and in fact, dominated possession for the remainder of the half. Newton and Abbott curtailed the influence of their midfield opponents and Williams and Laffan were successfully feeding talisman, Morgan, who on one meandering run, cut the ball back from the goal-line to Gartside, who should have scored, but saw his shot well-saved by Keeper and England MoM, Kirk, and it remained scoreless at the interval.

Although players were rotated, fifteen minutes into the second half, Wales midfield noticeably tired and they were pinned in their own box by a dominant England for fifteen minutes! They should and would have taken the lead, but for a defiant rear-guard action, with MoM Jordan outstanding. Wales again re-jigged and Laffan began to orchestrate and Morgan again was teasing the England defence. He fed Gartside, who struck a post and then sent a superb, teasing ball along the England goal-line...which ran to safety, before Dickinson was able to react.

Despite a late flurry by both sides, resolute performances from both defences and goalkeepers ensured the game remained goal-less after 90 minutes.

Wales retained the NHS Challenge Trophy having won the last game in Newport in May 2024.

Congratulations to the following players, who made the trip:

Alan Meacham (GK) - Swansea
John Jordan - Newport
Paul Young - Newport
Paul Diaper - Newport
Peter Morgan - Penybont
Dave Abbott - Newport
Peter Laffan - Swansea
Mick Algieri - Swansea
Ian Dickinson - Newport
Terry Compton - Newport
Howard Petersen - Barry Town
Landi Assadi - Swansea
Phil Newton - Swansea
Phil Williams - Newport
Nick Gartside - Newport
Tim Bowker - Barry Town

Managers: Alun Huish and Jon Ross