Click
here for Home | Click here for Newsletter IndexThis was the final preparatory match for the Welsh Police before they continue their international programme against England on Wednesday 28th March 2001 at Penydarren Park, Merthyr The game was of a high standard throughout with both sets of players determined to show their prowess for selection in the important games that remain in the season.
The Police were the first to settle and dominated the first quarter with Dave Mallin and Gareth Price both prominent in defense. However, after ten minutes the first real chance went to Cwmbran with Andrew Newtown displaying his goal scoring skills giving the former Wimbledon goalkeeper Rob Cornick no chance with a well taken goal after good football from the Cwmbran team.
The game was played at a lively pace throughout on a heavy pitch with both
sides involved in several passages of good interplay stretching the length of
the field. Richard Heath the former Luton Town and Cardiff City player was a
constant threat for the Police team and narrowly shot over the bar in the 40th
minute as the Police strived to get on even terms.
Just before half time Gareth Martin showed why he has become such a find for the
Police team as the bustling striker who plays Rugby for Treorchy tested Wager
with a superb shot that Wager did well to save.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Martin once again challenging Wager with a powerful shot after a fine run and cross from Dave Lee. Newton continued to probe the Welsh Police defense stretching Cornick on several occasions before he got the second goal in the 62 minute with a header from a corner.
The Police to their credit never gave up playing good football against their formidable opponents particularly the former Cwmbran player and recent Rhayader Town signing Russell Wigley with several penetrating runs from midfield.
The game finished with the Police pressing hard for a goal and Wigley and Heath striving get to behind the well-organised Cwmbran defence. Their efforts were almost rewarded after a fine run from Heath culminated in a pass to the eager Martin who hit a powerful shot which required a fine save from Wager to prevent the Police team from opening their account.
Prominent throughout for the Police team was the Gwent midfielder Taleb Farid well supported by Darren Gingell and Mark Chaplin. Also, Chris Curtis from Dyfed Powys had another more than competent game in midfield.
A high spot of the evening was the form of Rob Cornick in the Welsh goalmouth playing his first Police game for eleven months in a Welsh shirt. He made many fine saves and was instrumental in containing Cwmbran to a two-goal victory.
The management team of Mark Kendall, who joined the action as a substitute with Mike Thomas, and Bruce Brown, were extremely pleased with the progress of the team since the white wash against Scotland earlier in the season. Kendall commented, " This was a more than competent performance against a very capable side. I was extremely pleased with the spirit of the team and the way they competed".
An interesting but welcome dilemma will be the choice of goalkeeper for the
England game between the current incumbent Steve Jones who was in excellent form
against the Royal Signals recently and the vastly experienced Rob Cornick. Who
could be better placed to make that selection than the former Tottenham, Swansea
and Newport goalkeeper Kendall assisted by the highly experienced Brown.
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