Last Tuesday evening saw the Pembrokeshire women's football team take on the Welsh national squad at Briton Ferry. The game was designed as a warm-up before the Welsh team travels to Portugal to play in an international tournament which will include teams such as America and China.
It was always going to be a huge test for the highly successful Pembrokeshire ladies side, and so it proved, with Wales taking an early lead after a mistake from the county defence.
It could have opened the floodgates, but this team showed great resolve and character by taking the game to their illustrious opponents, and for the next half-an-hour matched them in every department. As the half was finishing, however, the superior fitness and overall technique of the Welsh team told, with two more goals.
The second half saw changes of personnel, with coach Gerry Rigby bringing on all the substitutes as the half progressed.
Again for 30 minutes the game was even, but with the Pembrokeshire having to work incredibly hard to contain Wales, fitness was bound to tell. As energy levels inevitably fell, spaces were created and the quality of the Welsh team proved irresistible, scoring two more goals
The Pembrokeshire team should take great pride in this performance. All of the national coaches and administrators were at the game and were impressed by the quality of the team. Every player played to their full capability, and was a credit to themselves and their county.
The squad was: Leanne Jones, Nicola Aston Sharon Rodger, Jane Lovegrove, Rachel Walters, Emma Rowell, Emma Summons, Laura Roberts, Carrie Slack, Jo Price, Laura Richards, Imelde Rossi, Kaylie Davies, Bob Nelson, Sara Roberts, Kate Roscoe, Denis Powell, Sally James, Cassie Bennett, Marie Davies, Margaret Kingdom, Sarah Stanley, Sarah Owen, Annie Davies.
The Pembrokeshire team have now been invited to play against the Wales Under 19 team in June.
For information on the women and girls league programme, please contact FAW football development officer, Gerry Rigby, at County Hall, tel. 01437 776379.