2nd July 2010
France has the edge over a developing Welsh squad
Photos: FidoPix
Last week-end Wales entertained France for what is now a regular fixture on the Under 18s Boys calendar. Coach Mike Yeoman was taking this opportunity to introduce several promising players from the Under 16s squad to see how well they would respond to competition and the next level. After a brief but fruitful training session the teams met early Saturday afternoon to be greeted by a respectful but very vocal, Welsh crowd along with perhaps the hottest day for many years in Cardiff.
The Welsh team started well with having a majority of the play. The French used their midfield to contain and control the defensive space and to minimise penetration into the French 23. However it was the Welsh forwards and midfield that created the first opening for Mark Brothers to score from open play. Several penalty corners were well saved by under 16 goalkeeper Dewi Roblin who was playing at this level for the first time. This gave the Welsh team confidence during the first half to attack vigorously but perhaps too openly and their defence came under pressure on the counter several times to be rescued by Paddy McDowell and Will Davies both clearing confidently and calmly.
In the second half the Welsh tired visibly and it was the French who began to run midfield and were eventually rewarded by a goal from a short corner. Using all available substitutes coach Mike Yeoman sought to strengthen the defensive line up to soak up the pressure and take control of the game but in the dying minutes the French struck again to win the first encounter 1-2.
For many of the team it was a lessons learnt session and the coach declared himself to be relatively pleased with the team but intimated that the next game was a time for improvements all round.
Early Sunday morning the team assembled at Cardiff National Hockey Stadium with determination to overturn the previous day’s result. With a full press in operation the Welsh team hit hard and with vigour to maintain pressure for a considerable time. It raised the volume of advice coming from the French coach on the side lines. Eventually however the French with stood the pressure and gradually got back into the game and scored from a penalty corner in the 26th minute high into the net. This was a sign of things to come as the French began to take control of the midfield and found gaps in the Welsh defence. In the second half the French struck twice more from penalty corners in the 7th and 24th minutes to increase their lead to 0-3. In the dying minutes when the Welsh were pushing up high into the French half a break away goal made it 0-4 win to the French. The captains for this week end were Steve Kelly and Paddy McDowell both leading by example.
Despite the score lines it was a successful weekend. With some U18 players involved in U21 Celtic Cup, it was an opportunity for the inclusion and integration of some U16s who showed great promise and claim a place in the Sainsbury UK School Games to be held in Newcastle early September. The U18 squad next competes in the Home Nations in Cork later in July.
