Newport Vets v Wales
After weeks of dry weather it was heavy rain that greeted the vets teams of Newport and Wales. Before the match the teams were presented to Murray Jones, the club sponsor and the family of Fred Powell in whose memory the match was played.
It was Newport who kicked off attacking the Shide end. Kevin Winchcombe was soon in action palming away a free kick from Anthony Smith. The same player then sent a looping cross into the penalty area that skimmed the cross bar.
For Newport a 25 yard shot from Ian Broadsmith passed over the crossbar. The visitors took the lead on 15 minutes when Steve Morgan drove in a low cross and Anthony Smith blasted it into the net from close range. Steve Morgan was provider for the Welsh second goal after 23 minutes when his cross was headed into the net by Joff Wile. A header off the goal line by Martin Young prevented a third goal.
Wales made a substitution on 29 minutes bringing on Dave Murray for Jon Parkinson. The third goal came on 34 minutes from a 25 yard shot from Joff Wile.
An injury to Mark Watts led to him being substituted by Karl Miller in stoppage time.
Half Time Newport 0 Wales 3
Newport made a half time substitution bringing on Michael Jenner for Jamie O’Rourke.
John McNamara beat the offside trap, running on to a through ball but his shot across the face of the goal just missed the far post. Mark Watts then returned to the field replacing Steve Morgan. Newport brought off Kevin Winchcombe and replaced him with Doug Weedon followed by Andy Butler giving way to Brett Kirby.
On 55 minutes, Newport created their best opportunity when the ball was played in from the right and fell to an unmarked Mark Fletcher but he drove wide.
On 61 minutes there was a minute’s applause in memory of Fred Powell.
Wales extended their lead on 65 minutes when Joff Wile completed his hat trick outjumping the defence from a corner and heading into the net.
Newport introduced Daz Plenty and he was involved in three scoring chances but was denied by some good saves from Robert Jones.
Wales came away with a 4-0 victory but Newport had battled hard throughout the match.
NEWPORT WALES
Kevin Winchcombe Robert Jones
Ian Dennis Jon Parkinson
Andy Butler Mike Hill
Martin Young Shane Davies
Michael Butler Adam Govier
Jim Smith Neil Davies
Mark Fletcher Anthony Smith
Ian Broadsmith Jeff Wile
Jamie O’Rourke Adrian Barsi
Martin Raggett John McNamara
Pete Wheeler Steve Morgan
Subs Subs
Mark Issacson Dave Murray
Doug Weedon Paul Averies
Michael Jenner Karl Miller
Dean Ball Mark Watts
Brett Kirby
Daz Plenty
Referee: Andy Jones