05/06/2021 - Pen-y-bont Over 55s v Wales Fans
Joe Raspin, Andrew Knapp, Sam Daniels, Ryan March, Michael Charlish, Lloyd Williams, Sion Cox, Lee Hartshorn, Richard Simmons, Evan Williams, Macauley Davies, James Seldon, Ashton Adams, Nathan Davies, Stuart Watkins, Cai Cox.
Wales Supporters failed to rid the cobwebs of 18 months without kicking a ball due to the pandemic, in their first game back in action on the morning of the Wales Euro send off against Albania. With everyone passing the pre-match lateral flow tests and temperate checks and all following covid protocols, the SDM Glass Stadium was the venue as Wales looked to build on their thrilling 5-4 win over Croatia in their only previous game at the stadium. Wayne 'Dibs' Anderson, swopped the red of Wales for his club colours as he turned out for Penybont Over 55's as Wales failed to capitalise on several great chances, hitting the woodwork 5 times and missing numerous others with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Despite only being tested a few occasions, goalkeeper Joe Raspin was man of the match for Wales, which summed up a frustrating morning as the goal scoring heroes of the Croatia win, Lee Hartshorn and Sion Cox were the biggest culprits, despite their abundance of ability and each could have had a hattrick on another day. Only two of the team had been playing any regular football and it showed, with Michael 'Chopper' Charlish and Stuart Watkins both playing over the border during the pandemic. Stuart was making his Wales debut and worked hard at right back, while Chopper it seemed had been playing walking football in England, such was the time and space he found on the ball as his class oozed for all to see.
Evan Williams captained the side in the absence of Dave O'Gorman, but he was carrying an injury and failed to sparkle as normal in the blistering heat. Sam Daniels and Ryan March looked solid in defence after the interval but by this stage Wales were 2-0 down and in need of some inspiration. Andrew Knapp brought some stability to the back line, while Lloyd Williams, James Seldon and Cai Cox took the game to Penybont in the second period with their speed of thought.
Ashton Adams, Richard Simmons and Nathan Davies, showed glimpses of inspiration in midfield, while Macauly Davies and Andrew Dowling found good positions as the clock ticked down, with Dowling looking to be the Aaron Ramsey of the fans team. However in the end Wales could only look back at their missed opportunities in what would have been a comprehensive victory on another day. On a positive note, £250 was raised to help fund meals for the elderly in Baku and the fans were back at the Cardiff City Stadium as the team were given a send off despite following in the footsteps of the fans team with a goalless afternoon.
A special thanks to Dibs, the match referee, Chopper for supplying the water and Penybont for hosting the game.
