Mark Pitman makes a welcome return to The Ball is Round with news of the UEFA Under 17′s latest campaign and a rare international success for Wales.
Wales U17 4-0 Liechtenstein U17 – Wednesday 19th September 2012 – Friendly
Geraint Williams is the man entrusted with developing the next generation of Welsh internationals having taken over the intermediate team manager role from Brian Flynn. A former Welsh international himself, Williams has big shoes to fill in replacing Flynn, in a metaphorical sense of course, and this victory offered a timely boost after recent defeats for the Under-21 side and the general frustration surrounding the seniors. Assisted by Simon Davies, Williams called-on a selection of players from a variety of clubs ranging from Premier League champions Manchester City to the lesser-known Unattached. Swansea City and Cardiff City were well-represented in front of the South Wales crowd, while substitute Owain Jones of the Swans significantly boosted the attendance on his own judging by the reaction to his second-half arrival and goal.
The home of Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town, Richmond Park is no stranger to hosting low-key international and European games and the usual band of volunteers were sufficiently fluorescenced-up to welcome the visitors and the suited councillors of the Football Association of Wales. Traditionally one of the more progressive clubs in the Welsh Premier League, ground improvements are noticeable with each visit and the stadium offered a worthy venue for such a fixture. Free admission proved attractive to the locals and something Carmarthen and other South Wales clubs in the Welsh Premier League could learn from as they look to improve on generally falling figures through the turnstiles, the second-sell making up for the loss of hard cash on the gate. With the anthems and customary handshakes passing without controversy, referee Bryn Markham-Jones, a well-known figure in the Welsh Premier League, signalled for the match to start.
Within two minutes Wales were ahead, and their quick start set the scene for the rest of the match. An early free-kick on the edge of the Liechtenstein penalty area was crossed into the box by Kyle Copp of Swansea City for club team-mate and Wales captain Tom Atyeo to head home. Ten minutes the later the lead was doubled as Huddersfield Town’s Jake Charles, the grandson of Welsh football and Juventus legend John Charles, slid in at the back post to score from close range. Wolves winger Peter Smith proved to be a constant source of problems for the visitors on the left and his efforts were mirrored on the right by Charles as Wales dominated for long periods. On twenty minutes Copp made it a memorable debut as he added a third with a shot from just inside the area and with it confirm that his side would be the eventual and inevitable winners.
Noor showed his intentions from the start as he tormented and tortured the Liechtenstein defence with a series of mazy runs. Creating chance after chance, Wales were threatening to run riot against their inferior opponents who lacked the size and stature to compete in addition to their lesser ability. No more evident was Wales physical advantage than in midfield where Rollin Manayese, another Cardiff City youngster, towered above his opponents and most of his team-mates with his intimidating figure suggesting he could already do a similar job in the senior game despite his age. The biggest cheer of the night was saved for the introduction of Owain Jones after an hour, and he did not disappoint those who had come out to see him as he added the fourth and final goal of the night within minutes of his arrival.
More pictures from the game can be found here.
Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com for a full archive or follow him on twitter/markpitman1 and on facebook/1markpitman.