Wales Regional News

HASSRA WALES 6 HASSRA WEST MIDLANDS 1

Report by Rob Clement (Swansea Pension Centre)

• HASSRA Wales leading striker Chris Vardon took his season’s total to seven with four second half goals, in their second match of three, against their West Midlands rivals in the group stage of the National Football tournament at Treowen Stars, Bush Park.
• Having already registered a commanding 7-0 victory at Basildon against East of England in December, the Welsh team now anxiously awaiting details of their semi-final opponents, to hopefully progress to the final of the competition.
• In bitterly cold conditions, it was West Midlands who were the quicker to settle, and they went close to establishing a 10th minute lead, only for a Tom Reynolds free kick to be headed clear by Lee Hutchings in the congested Welsh penalty area.
• That early threat proved to be a wake-up call for Wales, and the action swiftly moved to the opposite end with current F.C. Cefn left sided player Lee Jones striding forward, to provide Vardon with a narrow angled scoring chance, only for him to fire into the side-netting.
• Despite that missed opportunity, another opportunity of moving in front was soon carved out by Ben Bannon, who delivered a quality ball into the path of Vardon, who then applied a solid header on target, which visiting keeper Steve Rowley palmed around the upright.
• Wales suffered a major setback midway into the half when they went behind, with Reynolds despatching an assertive low shot finish, which flew just beyond the reach of keeper Gareth Jones.
• It was a cruel blow for Roger Langley’s men, but the possibility of cancelling out that lead arrived during the 38th minute only for a rising delivery from Jones to rebound off the crossbar.
• Two minutes later however, there was a more positive outcome, with the leveller arriving at a vital moment when Jones, the North Wales product being more fortunate, with a ten-yard effort on target from an opening engineered by Bannon.
• Following the turnaround, West Midlands almost caught their hosts wrong footed, and it was Martin West who witnessed his chipped shot from the edge pf the penalty area drop over the top of Gareth Jones, to then scrape the top of the goal frame.
• Wales gradually increased the tempo and from a 56th minute Kerrison Thomas corner, a strike on goal cannoned of the woodwork and Vardon was alert to instantly pounce with deadly accuracy from close range.
• Clearly encouraged by that outcome, Vardon began to come more into the picture, and having gained possession following a challenge with Dan Bagley, he raced forward to find the target with pin-point accuracy.
• The current AFC Llwydcoed striker recorded his hat-trick in a quick fire nine minutes, which arrived following a fluent passing movement involving Bannon and Ynystawe Athletic central defender Daniel Williams, with the West Midlands defence being split open.
• Wales continued to probe the West Midlands defence and there was additional profit for Vardon on 77 minutes, when a perfectly weighted pass from the supporting Gareth Curtis set him up, to drill a low shot into the bottom corner.
• Within fifty seconds of that goal, there was additional joy and celebration, with Wales bagging a sixth with Bannon pouncing with an ideal piece of optimism, applying a crisp clinical finish.
• “The highlights of the game were how the whole squad performed together, and when the substitutions were made, the players who came on were just as good as the ones which went off”, said Wales HASSRA team manager Roger Langley.
• “The best moments of the game were obviously Chris Vardon scoring his goals, along with the way that everybody did so well in the manner they kept the game flowing, the passing was first class and everything that was asked of them they did, and I just couldn’t fault them”.
• Langley added, “I was obviously worried when we went behind in the first half, because prior to that, West Midlands had a breakaway chance only to fire wide, with only goalkeeper Gareth Jones to beat. If they had taken that opportunity, it could have been 2-0, and that would have been a big hill to climb”.
• “As it is with football, you have to take your chances when they come along, and there were a few before equalising in gaining a deserved goal at the right time, just before the interval”.
• “The scoring opportunities came quickly after the turnaround with the jigsaw falling into place”, said a delighted Langley. “It was the work ethic that the players put into place, beginning to believe in themselves and knowing what was expected of them, especially with two strikers like Chris Vardon and Ben Bannon”.
• “With the experience of those two players, things gradually paid off in the end, with them combining to score five second half goals”.

• Wales: - Gareth Jones (Wrexham BDC), Stephen Lane (Newport BDC), Andrew Owen (Porth Debt Management) (Andrew Line 57th min (Cwmbran PC)), Gareth Pugh (Wrexham BDC), Lee Hutchings (capt) (Mountain Ash JCP) (Gareth Evans 77th min (Wrexham BDC)), Daniel Williams (Swansea PC) (Gareth Curtis 78th min (Swansea PC)), Kerrison Thomas (Cwmbran PC), Jordan Coles (Merthyr Tydfil JCP) (James Carpenter 57th min (Swansea PC)), Chris Vardon (Merthyr Tydfil JCP) (Gavin Phillips 77th min (Newport BDC)), Ben Bannon (Newport BDC), Lee Jones (Wrexham BDC).

Referee: - Gary Ismial (Cardiff Home Office).

• Score summary: - Wales: Lee Jones 40th min, Chris Vardon 61st min, 65th min, 70th min, 77th min, Ben Bannon 78th min.

West Midlands: Tom Reynolds 23rd min.

HASSRA EAST OF ENGLAND 0 HASSRA WALES 7

• The 2009/2010 season kicked off for Wales with another 4 and half hour trek on the road to Basildon to play the east of England at the Gloucester Park North facilities.
• With travel arrangements for those in cars from South Wales, to meet at Membury Services the Wales manager, Roger Langley was not happy that Kerrison (bomber) Thomas had decided that Reading Services was his destination. Thomas seems to have a difficulty with services! What a start, would the whole squad ever listen to the manager?
• Once at the ground though Langley soon got the squad to listen as all where to change and warm up before the team was announced. With conditions wet the pitch was in great condition and from the warm up it was clear that Wales could play attractive on this good surface.
• East of England kicked and with their central midfielder resembling Wyecliffe first touches looked promising, but once Wales regained the ball it was not long before an effort on goal was to alight. Lee Jones was awarded a free kick on the right hand side of the pitch. Jordan (fatboy) Coles stepped and crossed the ball in, and the East of England keeper made a huge blunder and parried the ball into his net, 0-1 to Wales with only 2 minutes played.
• The lead was doubled after 10 minutes when the impressive Chris Vardon clinically finished an excellent with move with a one touch shot into the bottom corner .Chance after chance fell to Wales , Ben Bannon, Coles Vardon and Daniel Williams all had chances but Wales failed to capitalise on all their possession .
• East of England did push forward at times but they only troubled Wales’s new keeper Daniel Hancock twice. The first require an excellent stop low down to his right the other when Gareth Pugh and Stephen Lane missed tackles on the East of England number 9, who tried to slot the ball pass the oncoming Hancock only to see the dependable Andrew Owen clear the ball away from an open net. 0-2 at half time a well deserved lead.
• Following another team talk from Langley, Wales started nervously as East of England had made changes but on the 55 minute mark Wales produced a move of sheer class. Pugh started the move on the right just inside his and found Coles inside him, Coles passed to Jones and went for the return. Coles obliged back and Jones passed into Vardon, who turned his marker and slotted the ball into the corner of the net, 0-3 and Vardon's second.
• Vardon then became provider for his strike partner Bannon, as he passed delightfully for Bannon to smash home from 15 yards 0-4 with an hour gone. Vardon then completed his hat trick with another cool finish to make it 0-5. Time for a change up front and super sub Gavin Phillips came on for Vardon and he continued his rich games to goals ratio by adding the sixth to make it 0-6.
• Wales wrapped up a comprehensive win with the seventh, from another substitute, son of a Welsh international, Gareth Curtis, who rose unmarked at a corner to power home a bullet header into the top corner. 0-7 and a great start to the season.
• The whole squad performed well with special mentions to new debutants, Andrew Line, Daniel Hancock and James (aka Jo Bale, Chippy) Carpenter. Solid and dependable Owen, Stephen Lane and Lee Hutchings. Gareth Evans midfield wizard and man of the match Chris Vardon. Key moments to remember , Daniel Williams (red mist get me off ) , Stephen Lane ( I hate being subbed ) Lane and the unforgettable miss by Bannon ( my right foot is to stand on ) from 18 yards with an open net to hit with his right foot .

Roger Langley

HASSRA Wales manager