03/09/2005 - Wales Fans v England

Wales might have lost the main game to England, but the fans did themselves proud, with the double over the visitors, following on from the 6-1 win at Knutsford last October. This time the game was played outside the capital, at Veladrome in Newport, with an early morning start at 10am, to allow some drinking time before the visit to the Millennium Stadium.

Wales fielded a strong squad of 17, with only 4 drop outs before the game, something John Toshack would love! Wales started off well, and missed a golden opportunity to take the lead after just two minutes but fullback Tony Jones got dizzy as he was so far forward and scattered the geese flying over the England goal.

England then took a shock lead against the run of play from the penalty spot, but Geraint Howell brought Wales back into the game but scoring the equalizer after good work from wingman 'Dan the Man'. Wales were now back in control and took the lead shortly afterwards, Chris Smith slotting home a powerful volley.

However disaster was to strike on the stroke of half time, as goalkeeper Mike Jones let the ball slip through his legs. Danny Coyne and David James would have been proud of him and for a moment it looked like Mike would crack under the intense criticism from the Wales crowd and Welsh subsitutes. So half time it was Wales 2 England 2.

Drastic action was needed as wales were playing some disjointed fottball and English defence looked sluggish against the pace of Dan. So what does the manager do.....? Take off the two strikers who have scored the two Wales goals!

There was Certainly method in this madness as within seconds of the restart, Wales were 3-2 up and sailing at 20 knots towards the double over England. The fans were going ballistic.

Hywel Davies, Forced to play a game for his club Llanelli Steel Reserves the night before, as FIFA regulations do not include fans games, scored with his first touch in International football. You couldn't make up a better storyline. But hang on yes you could...

The other subsitutes, Owen Williams of Aberystwyth, was to go even better than his strike partner, netting a twenty minute hattrick that even Ian Rush would have been proud of in his hayday! Hywel was getting jealous and managed to score another, but it was to be Owen's day. The other two strikers came back on for the last twenty minutes, in midfield.

Spare a thought for Dan on the wing, who did everything to emulate his two goal performance at Knutsford. He hit the post, the bar, a dog walking past the goal, everything bar the kitchen sink. On another day Wales could easily have had double figures.

Everyone was a hero though. Staurt Hughes was a powerhouse in midfield alongside Paul Batcup, who turned up even though he was due to become a father at any minute. (Paul and his wife Christina have since a little boy who they named Iwan Daniel). Subisitute fullbacks Tim Hartley and Andy Hurst excelled themselves going forward as Wales took the game to England time and time again. While the centre back partnership of Will Johnson and Ryan Noake were simply rock solid. Oxford student will certainly celebrated the following week in Poland!

Old warhorse Phil Oloytt, Wales most capped player, again managed to traipse his weary old legs onto the field for what as he always keeps saying will be his last ever international. While their was also time for cameo debuts for two of the fans, Richard and Jamie!

England managed to get a consolation goal near the end, but this wasn't gong to spoil the big day for the Welsh players and fans! The players were ecstatic at the final whistle.

Hywel Davies was one of the first players interviewed by five Live after the game and said 'being the wrong side of five foot five tall, I don't score many headers, but to score one with my first touch against the Saes was unbelievable. Credit to Dan though for a cracking cross from the right wing.'

Tim Hartley was a little more cultured than Hywel saying 'that was one of the best Wales Supporters teams I have played in. not because we were that skilful but because we all concentrated and worked hard, talking and helping to each other. A real team effort. And whats more, we got a result. Well done lads!'

While the last word was left to Tony Jones, taken off 10 minutes from the end as the manager was going to Cardiff early and giving Tony a lift. 'I bet Rooney has never been taken off by Fergie because he has to leave early. Sack the manager!'