Wales v USA (Senior Men)
Cardiff, 10th-13th September 2010
In their final leg of their European tour USA men will be travelling to Cardiff to face Wales with all games to be played at the National Hockey Centre. With the 'States' being ranked 7 places higher than Wales in the FIH rankings it will be a good test for the hosts as part of their build-up for their EuroNations Championship II tournament in Poland next year.
Day 1: Friday 10th September (20:00)
Wales 2 USA 0
Wales won the first of their three test series with a 2-0 victory.
In front of a good size and partisan crowd, Wales welcomed the States to the National Hockey Centre in Cardiff for the first of three test matches. Wales dominated early possession and in the sixth minute Wales were awarded their first penalty corner. This was dispatched by Rick Gay high into the net to give Wales a 1-0 lead. Wales continued to string passes to open up the American defense but were unable to capitalise on a number of opportunities . However In the dying minutes of the first half Wales carved open the American defence with quick passes following which Lewis Prosser scored from close range.
The second half followed the same pattern but Wales could not add to the score sheet. The states won their only penalty corner midway in the second half but was well saved my Welsh keeper Iwan Williams.
There were two debutantes in the Wales team, Gareth Furlong and Rhys Gowman who both stepped up to the mark at senior international level for the first time.
Day 2: Saturday 11th September (11:45)
Wales 6 USA 3
Wales sealed a series win against the USA with a convincing victory in the second match of the series.
The match got off to a slow start with both sides trying to string passes together.
Wales scored first however with Ben Croxall deflecting a reverse stick cross from Joe Naughalty. Both sides then won a succession of penalty corners but all went unconverted. Midway through the first half a shot from Andy Siemann ended in the net to give Wales a 2 goal lead, USA then pulled one back from a well struck short corner but Wales restored their two goal margin with Andy Cornick deflecting another cross into the roof of the net to give them a half time 3-1 lead.
Wales struck early in the second half through Rhys Joyce who scored again a few minutes later from the penalty stroke spot after Owain Dolan-Grey was brought down in the circle. The States responded with two quick goals to bring them back to within two goals but Wales response was to restore their advantage lead when Rufus MacNaught-Barrington converted a cross from Croxall to run out winners 6-3.
Day 3: Monday 13th September (14:00)
Wales 2 USA 0
Wales continued their winning ways to win the series 3-0.
Wales started the game with good interplay and looked dangerous on the break and in the 19' a fast interpassing move between Rhys Gowman, Ben Croxall was finished off by Lewis Prosser to give wales a 1-0 lead. The USA then created three penalty corners which were comfortably dealt with the welsh defence to give Wales a half time lead.
the second half was much the same with Wales looking to extend their lead and were rewarded when a well worked penalty corner was deflected by Owain Dolan-Grey to double the lead.
Both sides then had chances to score but the defences held tight to keep the score showing a 2-0 win for wales.
A good win by the Welsh side against a side that is ranked higher in the FIH rankings. Wales will now have break from international duties and will regroup next year in preparation for the Europeans in 2011.
