Wales o45s edged out at Bisham Abbey!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association accepted a second invitation from Maccabi GB to send an o45s squad to Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre to face their o45s AND in a cracking match between two very competitive sides, the hosts edged it....writes Manager, Paul Richards...

Maccabi started the stronger with two early shots excellently saved by Richard Morgan in the Welsh goal. This spurred Wales into action with a sweeping move resulting in Rob Aldridge breaking through, only to see his shot well saved. Maccabi then broke the Welsh defence and were through on goal but Gavin Davies made a stunning recovery tackle to stop the home striker. Wales pushed forward and won a corner. After a great delivery was initially cleared, Nevin Riches was bundled over in the box and the referee awarded Wales a penalty, which Geesy Rees dispatched with aplomb. A fortuitous penalty was awarded to the hosts and Hadley Silver was able to draw the sides level.

Wales then took control of the game and started to get in behind the Maccabi back-line with Chris Summers going close after good work from Darren Blandon. They took the lead with a screamer of a shot from Gavin Davies, running onto a clearance after Summers first effort was saved, but Maccabi equalised again when midfielder, Daryl Phillips lashed home a 30 yard left foot volley. With 10 minutes remaining Phillips, again, got himself on the end of a long Myeroff through ball and slotted home the winning goal.

Wales manager, Paul Richards was obviously disappointed with the way the game finished, but said "I was pleased with the overall performance and I am looking forward to a return to winning ways in our return fixture, later in the year!”

Maccabi manager, Paul Lenchner was elated, saying "This group has shown real progress over the last 6 months that we’ve been together, and a winning performance against a quality opposition shows exactly how far that we’ve come.”

Congratulations to the following players who were selected....
Richard Morgan (GK) - Barry Town
David Davey - Barry Town
⁠Chris Summers - Continental
⁠Geesy Rees - Ferndale
⁠Richard Taylor - Ferndale
⁠Kevin Bartley - Llanelli Town
⁠Chris Harding - Briton Ferry Lansawel
⁠Neale Richards - Llanelli Town
⁠Rob Aldridge - Barry Town
⁠Mike Walsh - Briton Ferry Lansawel
⁠Steve Davies - Briton Ferry Lansawel
⁠Nevin Riches - Barry Town
⁠Jamie Maher - Barry Town
⁠Ed Jones - Barry Town
⁠Darren Blandon - Barry Town
⁠Gavin Davies - Pontyclun