Wales v England U21 - Swansea
Report by Dave Cooper

Saturday 21st May

Wales            1  Cooper
England U21  3  Jackson [2] Cheeseman

  Wales welcomed the England U21 squad to the new ATP complex at Swansea playing training games on Saturday and Sunday 21/22 May. For the senior Wales men's squad it was their first competitive matches together for 9 months and the start of their build up to the European Trophy in Rome this September. The junior England squad has its eyes firmly set on their World Cup tournament in Rotterdam (30th June to 10th July).

  Wales started slowly on Saturday and were exposed defensively with England deserving their 1-0 half time lead through Ashley Jackson (East Grinstead). Coach Mike Williams reorganised the Welsh defensive patterns and it led to an equaliser from an Ollie Cooper short corner - a low drag flick to the goalkeepers right.

  Both sides had opportunities throughout the second half but a disputed short corner decision led to an England rebound goal after 2 fine saves from Welsh keeper George Harris. A third goal for England was scored at the final whistle as a short corner was deflected in from a Welsh defensive stick.

3 goal Ollie Cooper

Sunday 22nd May

Wales            2  Cooper [2]
England U21  1  Mackay

   The Sunday game developed into a different pattern with Wales holding possession for long periods and exploiting the wide areas. Both goalkeepers made good saves but Wales felt they should have gone into half time more than 1-0 up after an open play goal from Cooper. They had their reward early in the second half when an excellent move down the right wing saw captain Rhys Joyce and Huw Jones combine to free Ollie Cooper 12 yards out in space to finish well and go 2-0 up.

   England came back into the game and scored an untidy goal following a couple of missed tackles with the ball looping into the Welsh net from Iain Mackay (Loughborough Students). Wales finished strongly to deserve their victory.

   The senior Wales squad has 2 training camps before they take on the senior England squad in 2 matches on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June at the same venue.

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