Veterans
 News & Views
2008/9
Over 40's West Wales League
Kick Off time 12 noon at RTB Landore, Swansea.
Swansea 7 - Llantrisant 2
An enthusiastic squad following the normal late notice withdrawals travelled to Swansea looking forward to their first match of the new season. The Llantrisant Vets team with 8 of their 13 players over 45 years of age played their part in a very entertaining match of which the score line doesn't reflect the actual quality and competitiveness of the match.
The game flowed with quality end to end football with both teams having numerous attempts on goal. It was a classic case of the difference between the 2 teams was the clinical finishing by the Swansea Vets. The first half saw Llantrisant spurn numerous chances throughout the half with Gary Dodd, Peter Shilton and Pepe Mele going close on at least 3 occasions each and Robbie Ryan hitting a post and having a volley blocked on route to the top corner. As a result Swansea punished Llantrisant with two goals that on reflection should have been defended better considering the vast experience on the field. 
Llantrisant gamely maintained their stake in the match and eventually they were rewarded for their efforts when Peter Shilton scored Llans opening goal with a penalty nearing the half time break, however Swansea went straight up the other end from the kick off and scored on the stroke of half time. The first half saw Swansea go in 3-1 up having nicked the 3rd with seconds remaining in the first half; this was a huge blow to Llantrisant.
The half time rallying call from the Llantrisant squad worked and they came out firing on all cylinders and for long periods bossed the opening exchanges and deservedly pulled another goal back with a deft lob over the Swansea keeper following some good work between Pepe Mele & Gary Dodd early in the half.
Llantrisant rightly gambled their defensive structure in going for the equalizer which they deserved on the balance of play and this appeared to be on the cards, however the spurned chances on the Swansea goal kept rolling on and Llan knew it wasn't going to be their day when Gary Dodd missed an open goal,  an absolute sitter from 1 yard out, just off centre of the goal lifting the ball over the crossbar when it was easier to score, this was at a critical stage in the half with the scores hanging in the balance at 3-2 to Swansea with Llan driving forward.
The odds now on Llan being caught on the counter attack greatly increased and in the last 15 minutes of the game they were severely punished conceding 4 goal by some excellent flowing football from Swansea exposing the spaces created by the offensive Llantrisant set up trying to pull themselves back in the game and grab the equalizer. This was a cruel baptism for Llan new boy’s keeper Jason Burton & Mervyn Chappell who both played their part in this highly entertaining match.
This was an excellent advert for Wales Veterans football and the quality of football on display was of a high standard especially considering the hot weather.

Robbie Ryan
Llantrisant FC