WALES Over-40s extended their unbeaten record to two years after beating Droitwich Town AFC Over-35s 3-1 in Cardiff on Saturday.

Goals from Paul Keddle , Cei Mason and Matthew Hughes ensured the hosts took the spoils at Ocean Park Arena against a very successful Droitwich side.

Manager Laurence Owen, as usual, was looking to fully utilise the strong pool of over-40s players available to him.

He gave debuts to three new caps who had impressed for their respective clubs and at Wales training sessions; Sean Jones, Wayne Williams and Matthew Hughes all came into the squad and all caught the eye with excellent performances.

Wales started with a very attacking 3-4-3 formation and from the first whistle set out their intent with a very high press and getting the ball forward very early to a very busy forward line.

Droitwich struggled to maintain their usual game of playing out from the back due to the Wales press and the first half was dominated by the hosts, although a strike by Keddle (Penydarren) on 23 minutes was all they had to show for it.

All 16 members of the squad had been used as the second half kicked off with the rolling substitute rule being used to its full effect.

The lively Mason (Ferndale) made it 2-0 on 58 minutes as Wales continued to control the game but on 82 minutes Droitwich grabbed a scrambled goal back, beating Wales ‘keeper Jonathon Howe who had been a virtual spectator to that point.

Wales, to their credit, immediately responded and on 87 minutes debutant Hughes (Llanelli) finished from 15 yards out with a deft left foot shot into the top corner.

Defender Liam Screen was named man of the match for an outstanding performance but it could have gone to a number of players who were excellent on the day .

Wales now have two training sessions in Cardiff prior to Christmas before beginning 2025 with more fixtures and looking to defend their superb unbeaten record on the road and at home.