The Welsh Dragons train with Cardiff Met Under 19s ahead of Edinburgh 21
Street Football Wales continued our preparations for the inaugural Four Nations Challenge Cup with a training friendly against Cardiff Metropolitan University U19’s.
The competition takes place over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of September, leaving just four weeks left on the countdown.
Met, managed by first-team talisman Eliot Evans, posed a competitive opponent ahead of the tournament, providing the team with an invaluable workout and match experience.
The two sides competed in five seven-minute games, with Jordan Williams, Scott Chappell and Tyler Jenkins in the starting line-up, led out by new club captain Adam Davies.
The new skipper led by example in a goalless opening seven minutes, dictating play and defending well against an energetic Archers side.
Jordan in between the sticks also impressed, making several great saves to keep the scores level.
With Gareth Cooke and Thomas Jones introduced, along with Lloyd Jones in goal for the second game, the ‘keeper picked up where Jordan left off, making three key saves as we fell to a 1-0 loss.
In the third game, chances were being created with some positive interplay but were denied on several occasions by some brilliant saves from the Met goalkeeper.
The Archers left Lloyd with no chance as they added a second goal, but Scott responded immediately, firing home at the back post to claim a 1-1 draw.
With the starting line-up returning for the fourth contest, Tyler had the opportunity to level the aggregate score with a penalty, but the Archers ‘keeper again made the save.
Cardiff Met reacted quickest to the penalty stop and drove forward to clinically add their third goal.
In the final game, a line-up of Lloyd Jones, Adam Davies, Tyler Jenkins and Gareth Cooke saw Street Football Wales get back in the game.
‘Cookie’ was found in space by Lloyd to fire home on the half-volley, before being on-hand to score his second after Adam’s effort was saved.
In an invaluable, competitive workout, a 2-0 win in the final game saw the lads recorded one win, two draws and two losses, with an aggregate score of 3-3.
LINEUP: Jordan Williams (GK), Lloyd Jones (GK), Gareth Cooke, Scott Chappell, Adam Davies, Thomas Jones, Tyler Jenkins
GOALSCORERS: Scott Chappell, Gareth Cooke x2
Gareth Cooke commenting on his brace, “I’m over the moon. I didn’t think they would go in. It was a test for us. We’re not as fit as those young lads and they ran us around, but we enjoyed it. It’s very good preparation for us. With a bit of hard work and more practice, we stand a good chance of going a long way with this team.”
Adam Davies on being named captain, “I’m really happy with the captaincy. It’s a joy to play with these lads. It means a lot. Watching the boys play and train really hard, leading them out is a huge thing for me. I’m happy with how things are going at the moment, the fitness is there and we can only get better.”