International Challenge Trophy 2007 – 2009,
RESULT: Italy 4 Wales 2 (Sion Edwards & Jamie Price).

The Wales Semi-Professional Under 23 side lost 4-2 to their Italian counterparts in Varese, Italy this afternoon. The match was part of the new European Tournament for young players from outside of the top flight of football. 4-0 down at half time, goals came in the second half from Sion Edwards and Jamie Price. "This was a real learning experience for both the players and staff. I was very proud of the way the lads battled throughout the 90 minutes and we came back strongly in the last twenty minutes, scoring two good goals and could have had a third. The Italian side is very much a development side for their senior set-up, so we have probably seen a few players that will become household names in the future. They did play some fantastic football and at times we struggled to get to grips with their quick passing, but we showed great character and will take lots of positives from the performance." - Wales manager Tony Pennock.
The next game is against England XI in the New Year.

Wales line up:

Ashley Morris (Merthyr Tydfil); Craig Jones (Llanelli), Jamie Price (Worcester City), Danny Parslow © (York City), Jamie Rewbury (Merthyr Tydfil), Lee Surman (Port Talbot Town), Alex Lawless (Forest Green Rovers), Paul Fowler (Carmarthen Town); Chris Venables (Welshpool Town); Les Davies (Bangor City), Stuart Fleetwood (Forest Green Rovers)

Subs: Chad Bond (Port Talbot Town), Lee Bevan (Neath Athletic), Sion Edwards (Bangor City), Craig S. Jones (Rhyl), Lee Idzi (Haverfordwest County)

Match to be played at the Municipal Stadium 'F. Ossola' in Varese,  Wednesday 14th November 2007. Kick-off: 2.30pm. Highlights of this game on the Clwb Pel-Droed (S4C). Saturday evening (24/11). - 13-Nov-07 [18:05]


Wales Semi Professional Team Manager, Tony Pennock has named ten young Principality Welsh Premier League stars in his squad for the forthcoming International Challenge Trophy match against Italy. The new Tournament which is run over two seasons is specifically for Semi Professional Under 23 players (as of 1st January 2007) and Wales will face England and Finland as well as their tough first assignment against the Italians on November 14th in Varese near Milan, whose team will be made up of the best youngsters in the Serie C League. Pennock, who is also the Port Talbot Town boss has been able to cast his eye on a number of players in the League this season as has his Assistant, Terry Boyle, who is also Tomi Morgan's Number Two at Welshpool Town. Unsurprisingly, League leaders Llanelli have two players represented in the squad with defender Stuart Jones and midfielder Craig Jones named. The latter only joined the League at the start of the season from Welsh League outfit Afan Lido and he scored twice as a sub against Pennock's side on Friday night for the Reds.  Pennock has also named two players from his own club with former Swansea City duo, Lee Surman and Chad Bond both selected. Haverfordwest County also have two players picked with 'keeper Lee Idzi marking a tremendous start to the Season with his selection. The nineteen year old has played thirteen times this campaign, since replacing Lee Kendall in between the sticks at the Bridge Meadow Stadium but he has certainly impressed in his short time at the club and deserves his call-up.

Also selected in the midfield are Welshpool Town star Chris Venables, which is not surprising considering his outstanding start to the season, which has seen him bag nine goals from midfield since his switch from Caersws, whilst the strong running Paul Fowler of Carmarthen Town, who was only playing for Cardiff-based side Bridgend Street in the South Wales Senior League this time twelve-months ago is also named. Speedy right-winger Craig Jones of Rhyl is also picked after an impressive start to the season at Belle Vue, since his switch from Aberystwyth Town. Making up the contingent of ten is Bangor City's star forward Les Davies who celebrates his 23rd birthday today. The 'Truck', as he is affectionately known in football circles, is a Semi-Professional and Under 21 International and he is enjoying a great season at Bangor City, which saw him grab a hat-trick in the Loosemores Cup last week.

The six non-Welsh Premier players named are Merthyr Tydfil duo Ashley Morris and Jamie Rewbury who play in goal and in defence respectively, York City defender Danny Parslow, Gloucester City left-back Jamie Price, who was released by Birmingham City in the summer and Forest Green Rovers pair, Alex Lawless and Stuart Fleetwood. Midfielder Lawless, was signed by Fulham from Welsh League side Ton Pentre in 2002/03 as a teenager, whilst ex-Cardiff City striker Fleetwood has bagged fourteen goals in the Blue Square Conference since his move from Hereford Utd in the summer and was named the League's Player of the Month for September.

Pennock has also named seven players on Stand-by, six of which come from the League with Connah's Quay Nomads 'keeper Paul Pritchard and Caersws midfielder Aaron Edwards included. After the game in Varese later this month, the Welsh youngsters will play away to England in February and at home to the Fins in November 2008, with the final taking place in February 2009.

Speaking of the quality of youngsters eligible for selection Pennock said, "It's been very difficult to narrow the squad down to just sixteen from all of those that we have looked at this season, because there are so many youngsters who have impressed us." "We now look forward to meeting up and going to Italy with a very strong and experienced squad for such a young group of players" he added.

Wales Squad: