Wales U-19's 0-1 Northern Ireland U-19's

As admittance for this youth international friendly at Airbus UK's Airfield ground was free - despite the early 6:00 PM kick-off - it seemed too good an opportunity to miss to cast eye an over the future of Welsh and Nothern Irish football.

Five years ago I watched a Wales Under-16 team that included the then relatively unknown Gareth Bale and Chris Gunter in the full-back positions.

Since my last visit to the Broughton based Welsh Premier side in January the club has added a new seated stand behind one of the goals in attempt to gain their FAW Domestic Licence. Only a safety certificate issue with the local council appears to be preventing confirmation of their place in the 'Super 12' next season. Hopefully this will be resolved shortly.

On the field the Under-19's of Northern Ireland just had the edge over their Welsh counterparts with a late well-taken James Gray (Middlesbrough) goal the difference. The game was fairly even with some encouraging play from both sides. Daniel Alfei (Swansea), Kai Edwards (Wrexham) and Ryan Doble (Southampton) stood out for Wales while Jonathan Breeze (Wigan) dictated play in midfield for Northern Ireland.

Hopefully my match report and full team line-ups will feature in Issue 142 of Welsh Football Magazine - due out in June.

The current issue of Welsh Football Magazine (Issue 141) is out now and features a piece I have written on Wrexham FC and their progress, or lack of, under manager Dean Saunders.

See - http://www.welsh-football.net/

February Update

With the weather starting to settle down allowing more football to be played - it has been an interesting few weeks. The above images are from recent trips to watch Tranmere Rovers and Gresford Athletic.

After the disappointment of the Oldham game I went to watch Tranmere at Prenton Park a fortnight later as they took on Leyton Orient in League 1. The Rovers put on a much better display with great strikes from Ian Thomas-Moore and Marvin Sordell giving them a precious 3 points in their battle to avoid the drop. A good run of form recently has seen them climb out of the relegation zone - all the more impressive given that it's the physio - Les Parry - leading the club.

Leyton Orient were slightly disappointing considering the experience they had in the likes of ex-Rover Sean Thornton (who got a 'warm' reception from the Prenton faithful) and journeyman Scott McGleish. Rovers played some good football going and were committed throughout and that was the difference despite Jonathan Tehoue's late consolation.

The trip to Clappers Lane - home of Gresford Athletic and the Cymru Alliance's bottom club - was with divisional rivals Buckley Town for a NEWFA Cup tie. This will probably be Gresford's last season in Welsh football's second tier for some time. Despite representing a fairly upmarket, leafy village the football club relies on the efforts of a very small band of followers to keep it going. The ground is basic even at Cymru Alliance level - tucked just behind the Village Hall - and on a bitterly cold February afternoon with a freezing wind the lack of cover is particularly noticeable.

The club are very hospitable and welcoming though - and I look forward to a return trip in the league next month when hopefully the temperature is slightly warmer. On this occasion Buckley ran out 3-0 winners and after an uncomfortable start, progressed smoothly to the next round.

Issue 139 of Welsh Football Magazine is out featuring my article on Elements Cefn Druids see - http://www.welsh-football.net/ for details. Issue 140 should be out in March for which I have written an article on the progress of the Wales Under-17 side of 2005.

Update

Due to the poor weather there has been a lack of action locally in recent weeks hence the blog being a bit quiet. At Buckley Town alone three successive games were postponed during November.

When the action did resume at Globe Way supporters were treated to 4-4 thriller against Bethesda Athletic. My match report of that game can be found on the club's website at http://www.buckleytownfc.com/ and also now in the club's matchday programme. Buckley's next scheduled fixture at The Globe is against Penryncoch in the Cymru Alliance, 2:30 PM kick-0ff on Saturday 12th December and admission is £4 for adults, £1 concessions, children under 10 are free. It's well worth a visit for some good football, a friendly atmosphere at a progressive club and ground.

My article on the progress of North-East Wales clubs towards their application for the FAW Domestic Licence appeared in Issue 137 of Welsh Football Magazine last month. Hopefully another piece I have written will appear in Issue 138 which should be out shortly before Christmas. The publication's website site is at- http://www.welsh-football.net/.

Lastly, I have also begun writing for a website called 'A Different League' which provides intelligent insight, commentary and information on Premiership and European football. My first article, about former Wrexham, Blackburn and current Olympiakos striker Matt Derbyshire has appeared in their 'England's Future Stars' section and can be found at - http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/