Wales Under 16 National development squad 1st April 2008 Venue: Dolnay Ohaj

Slovakia 5  Wales 0

Wales started brightly and saw Brandon Davies play a prominent role in midfield  with some intelligent passing that the busy Jonathon Evans could not capitalise on. Slovakia had the better goalscoring opportunities  which needed two fine saves by Daniel Ward to keep the score level . Wales looked like a team that were getting used to each other and were pleased to go into the break with no goals being scored. The second half saw Wales  have to reshuffle their side due to injuries and this led to them conceding  three early goals from set pieces as the hosts dominated.  Wales were under pressure throughout due to the physical size of their older opponents. Slovakia looked like a team that had played together for over a year and had recently beaten England twice. They scored two more goals in the last 10 minutes  giving  the Welsh youngsters receiving a harsh lesson of what international football is all about.

3rd April 2008 Venue: Komjatice

Slovakia 2  Wales 0
Wales started brightly determined for revenge with Kurtis March dominant in midfield. However it needed a fine full length diving save from  Ashley Elsey to keep the scores level. March was dictating the play and from his  good work  Wales were denied two blatant penalties for handball. The second one that was handled on the line, the referee said he played advantage because it was cleared to a Welsh player!  Wales were on top for most of the half and were disappointed to go in at Half time  with  the scores level and rueing some generous home decisions by the referee. The second half saw Slovakia come into the game more and needed the Welsh keeper to be alert to some opportunist shots. Man of the match March was unfortunate to have to be stretchered off with a broken toe with 10 minutes remaining. Soon after Slovakia went ahead after  a lack of concentration  allowed their powerful striker a free run at goal from 25 yards. Wales did not learn from this as a minute later a ca
rbon copy run and finish put the hosts two up. Wales  put pressure on  to try to get back in the game but their was not enough time left on the clock to pull one back. A final score of 2 nil was undeserved but the performance was encouraging.

Their next games are in 7 weeks time in Belfast for the tri nations tournament.

WALES SQUAD:
PLAYER'S NAME      -SCHOOL                            -CLUB
Adam Davies        -Bishop Hedley H.S.            -Cardiff City FC
Kurtis March        -Pentrehafod Comp              -Cardiff City FC
Josh Roberts        -Holywell High                      -Mold JFC
Iain Edmunds        -Llanfyllin H.S.                      Shrewsbury Town FC
Ryan Connolly      -Ysgol Friars                          -Tranmere Rovers FC
Jonathan Evans    -Penglais School                  unattached
Richard Caine      -South Axholme Comp          -Doncaster Rovers FC
Daniel Ward          -Hawarden High                  -Wrexham FC
Brandon Davies    -Olchfa Comp                      -Cardiff City FC
Nathan Saxby      -Bishop of Winchester          -AFC Bournmouth
Jonathan Williams -Bennett Memorial School    -Crystal Palace FC
Ashley Elsey        -Penyrheol Comp                  -Swansea City FC
Connor Wickham  -Blaengwawr Comp                -Cwmaman FC
George Colson      -Sandown High School          -Portsmouth FC
Thomas Bender    -St Marks RC School            -Colchester United
Luke Matthias      -Bennett Memorial School    -Charlton
Max Penk            -Tarporley HH.S.                  -Wrexham FC
Josh Weeks          -Monmouth Boys                -Southampton FC