06/09/2011 - England v Wales Fans
Venue: Wealdstone FC, London, England.
Back Row (Left to Right): Match Official, Simon Thomas, Andrew Dowling, Iwan Morgan, Andy Evans, Will Johnson, Gareth Edwards, Luke James, Deio Jones, Gavin Davies, Geraint Williams, Huw Williams, Wayne Price, Adrian Davies.
Front Row (Left to Right): Eilian Hughes, Dave O'Gorman, Tim Hartley, Rhys Hartley, Owen Williams, Huw Roffe, Richard Whalley.
The Wales Supporters team achieved a fantastic result at Wealdstone prior to the game at Wembley on Tuesday 6th September. Wales had lost 3-2 in Cardiff back in March, in a poor alcohol fuelled performance from the night before especially from Geraint Williams.
Revenge would be sweet though and in blustery conditions Wales had a strong 19-man squad and took the lead after 11 minutes thanks to Richard Whalley of Llansteffan, just outside Carmarthen. Wales then failed to take several good chances, mainly missed by Richard and his strike partner will Johnson before England equalised before the break.
The second half saw a tough encounter with both sides pressing for that all important second goal. It came for Wales in the final minute when Wales top scorer and player of the decade Owen Williams was put through and slotted past the England keeper. However much to the Welsh disappointment, the home referee played over five minutes of injury time and England forced home a scrappy equaliser with almost the last kick of the game, despite heroics from Luke James in goal.
Huw Williams and Deio Jones were magnificent in defence, while Tim Hartley showed Rhys Lewis a thing of two about having the right attitude with a good display in an unfamiliar right wing role. Wayne Price who had flown in from the States especially for Wembley showed some nice touches in midfield, linking well with Andy Evans and Simon Thomas in midfield.
Full backs Huw Roffe and inspirational skipper Dave O’Gorman both put a shift in, while substitutes Eilian Hughes, Geraint Williams and Iwan Morgan all adapted well in difficult conditions. Gavin Davies looked sharp up front but disappointingly Andrew Dowling failed to get Wales a goal. While little Rhys Hartley showed a feisty side of his character at the end, earning him a booking and a £60 fine which has to be paid to the manager in Bulgaria.
It was then onto a penalty shoot out to decide the holders of the 'Fan Friendly' Cup and Wales won 4-3, thanks to penalties from Owen Williams, Gavin Davies, Will Johnson and Simon Thomas. Dave O'Gorman was the only one to miss for Wales. Then the celebrations began, with this being long serving manager Neil Dymock’s third victory over England.
The Wales squad was: Luke James, Gareth Edwards, Dave O'Gorman, Tim Hartley, Huw Roffe, Huw Williams, Dafydd Jones, Rhys Hartley, Wayne Price, Andy Evans, Simon Thomas, Owen Williams, Richard Whalley, Will Johnson, Eilian Hughes, Andrew Dowling, Geraint Williams, Gavin Davies and Iwan Morgan.
England were great hosts, with Manager Garford Beck commenting after the game that Wales had thoroughly deserved the win and he hoped this game could become an annual event. Below, the England equaliser.
