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Wales over 60’s lose and draw against Scotland

8th November 2007
Day’s Goal leaves the Scots in a Daze

Martin Day’s goal on Sunday, 4th November, midway through the first half, confirmed Scotland’s fears that this was a different side to the one that had succumbed to them 2-0 the previous day. Martin showed a goal-poacher’s instinct in scoring Wales’ first ever goal in an Over 60s International. He following up swiftly to harass the Scot’s keeper, dispossessed him and flicked the ball into the net. It was no more than the Wales team deserved after a spirited performance that with more luck could have seen them score a further two goals before the interval.

The previous day, in the first of the two weekend matches,  Scotland had converted two of their three short corners, so they were able to enter into a defensive cruise mode for the last fifteen minutes, adopting a half court press which the Welsh team found difficult to break down. That evening, over dinner, the team selectors, Roger Willis and Ralph Thomas, analysed what should be done to improve the teams’ performance for the next day. Unusually for an Over 60s squad there was a surplus of forward players so they decided to play in a 4-2-4 formation giving the team a chance to attack the opposition from the outset in the hope of getting an early goal. Wales lined up with Martin Day (Llanishen), Alan Paddock (Aberiginals), Bob McCombe (Northop Hall) and David Eynon-Williams (Newport) in attack; Roger Willis (Swansea) and Ralph Thomas (Chelmsford) in midfield; Mike Scrutton (Llandudno), Dave Maas (Newport), Alan Coles (Wrexham) and Ben Johnson (Aberdeen GSFP & Aberiginals) in defence; and Glyn Thomas (Old Wulfs) in goal.

The new formation worked well with the back four a more solid unit than on Saturday (even when Mike Scrutton had to leave the field with a groin injury – to be replaced by Keith Davies of Newport). Wales had control of the midfield and the four forwards were creating problems for the Scottish defence with the keeper making several saves in quick succession. Then came the goal and by half-time the Welsh squad were buzzing.

Wales again had a lot of midfield possession in the second half with Ralph his usual energetic, creative self but they did not create as many chances, due to a tighter Scottish defence. The Scots pressed hard in bursts and on one such foray a cross came in from the right and the centre forward managed to get a somewhat fortunate deflection which took the ball past Glyn. Wales dominated the last fifteen minutes and had several half chances but failed to convert any of them.

Another feature of the Sunday match was the competent way Wales dealt with the Scottish short corners. Ben, though suffering with a calf muscle strain, became the team’s number one runner and proved peerless in preventing the striker from getting any sort of shot on goal.

All players in the Wales squad including Charles Donovan (Abergavenny) and Pal Lottay (Newport) contributed to the team at various stages of each match. Charles, in particular, with a cameo appearance towards the end of each half, must be congratulated on getting his first ever Welsh cap at the age of 64. If he is asked by a young aspiring hockey player in the future how to go about obtaining a Welsh cap, he will reply, ‘buy a hockey stick and wait!’

Scotland Over 60s were bronze medal winners in the 2006 European Grand Masters’ Tournament in Italy so they are already experienced and competent at this level. This helps to put Sunday’s result in perspective and Wales can now be quietly confident about their prospects in next year’s Grand Masters’ Tournament in Barcelona.

Roger Willis
Over 60s Captain

Wales over 60's (November 2007)

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