Wales U19 0-2 England U19 (UEFA European U19 Championships Qualifiers)
I'm wished well by the scout from Stoke on my travels from Connah's Quay as he heads home from watching Portugal v Turkey and I travel to Bangor for Wales against England tonight.
The sun is belting down, hotter than Ibiza they say this week, as I head across the stunning A55 with views of the Irish Sea, before a quick pit stop at a McDonalds near Prestatyn.
Journey continued, I wonder to myself is there a better looking dual carriageway in the UK? The North Wales Expressway has high green hills to the left, the blue sparkling ocean to my right, cutting through the odd cliff as you drive through tunnels like you might around the French Riviera.
I'm directed to signs for Anglesey and the wonderful Menai Bridge, the ground a short walk away, with coastal views to die for as I park up early and head to an Asda in the town of Bangor which is a decent trek on foot.
The Venue
I'm heading to the ground around 5pm, walking down the stunning Holyhead Road which has high up views over the Menai Strait and Anglesey across the water before you spot the floodlights lower down the hill, Bangor City was only dissolved this year but Bangor 1876 are now flying the local football flag, their Nantporth ground on the edge of town has been in place since 2012, a modern set up with separate 3g training facility it backs on to a small holiday village with wooden chalets over looking the pitch.
I'm walking to the turnstile by the back the impressive modern stand as a Welsh player comes out with a member of coaching staff, he walks down in front of me before knocking on the team bus door to alert the coach driver "I've left my boots on the bus".
I've got a standing only ticket today as I didn't receive an option to purchase seating, and once inside the ground you notice why, only one seated area of note, all be it a large blue seated stand which is also home to the club house, some hospitality and the players changing rooms, whilst there is a small covered section in one corner reserved for families, I'm designated to either of the open ends as my only way of watching this game.
There's a few scouts moaning behind the goals mixed in with fans, jostling for a position is starting to become a problem as the ground fills up, over 2,500 in tonight, I'm told they usually get 500 at best.
One scout says to me "sod it" as he walks over to the reserved seating area and parks himself down high up on half way, whilst I stay put, corner flag offering a panoramic view, but not ideal as anything over the far side with my eyesight is guess work.
The Game
Packed in with fans around me, everyone here is speaking Welsh, which is good for nationalism, I'm surprised that nobody sings the anthems though, all just obey, as the two sets of teams line up before doing battle, not quite David against Goliath but a decent Welsh team will be aware of a very well known England outfit which includes Premier League regulars like Tyler Dibbling and Lewis Miley whilst Mikey Moore who has been smashing the ball in during the warm up as good as anybody I have ever seen, is on the bench.
Despite the superstars they face, Wales start well, Chris Gunter has an organised team who want to play on the front foot, they have pace and legs in midfield and look to break fast when they have the ball, issue is England seem to have a lot more of it.
Typically, it's all down the far end from me as I notice Chelsea's Tyrique George teasing the Welsh right back Parker with numerous tirades down the left, George has shone for Chelsea in the Conference League this season and looks dynamite with skill and trickery, really fast feet, what Madueke does on the right for Chelsea, he could potentially do on the left, what an exciting prospect they have.
The best player in the first half though is Wales goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin, the Wolves player has done brilliantly to keep out a number of England attempts and looks solid in all departments, at the other end Arsenal's Tommy Setford, whose brother plays in goal for Ajax, Is rarely tested but has good demeanour, both goalkeepers excellently confident on the ball and are tall and agile, comfortable with shots and crosses.
The Score
There's optimism in the way that Wales played the first half but it's England who come out the traps better in the second, Josh Acheampong who's a Rolls Royce at centre half, he breaks out, running past a handful of Welsh players along the way before teeing up Ethan Whiteley to drill home hard and low.
That settles the English nerves, if there were ever any, in fairness they are good, very good in all departments, a 3-4-3 formation with Zach Abbott and Joe Johnson either side of Acheompong the central defender, the wingers George and Rowe get forward supplying Wheatley of Manchester United, Kiano Dyer holding in front of Miley, Dibling and Josh King, all comfortable with the ball.
It's been a tough task for Wales who have been dogged and determined but the game is put to bed when seventeen year old substitute Shumaira Mheuka of Chelsea dribbles through, he dances around the Welsh defence inside their area before blasting hard and low, a celebration in front of me includes the words 'get fucking in'.
The Stars
England were brilliant against a game and organised team, who had pace on the break, Benjamin in goal may have been Wales best player but in the likes of Vimal Yogananthan, Frederick Issaka and Elliot Myles, they have pace and midfield runners who like to get at defenders in a positive manner.
England though a class above, Acheampong looked at ease at the heart of defence, Zach Abbott impressed on the right side, Kiano Dyer picking up the pieces like a young Angel Gomes in midfield, Lewis Miley and Tyler Dibbling cruising in second gear, Josh King brilliant running with the ball, whilst Tyrique George was the pick of the bunch.
The Verdict
I'm backing England as the team I've seen to progress to the finals which will be held in Romania later this year, an annual tournament now which England have twice won, they certainly have the tools to make that three.
Wales are in good shape, the national team and youth levels seem to be singing off the same Hymn sheet, which is usually the case in Wales, when the voices are in tune there's no better noise, and i'm sure they'll be a few of their players making noises to come, some super talent on show, and i'm ready to come back and do it all again on Saturday.
The Teams
Wales U19: Lewys Benjamin, Sam Parker, Brayden Clarke, Dylan Lawlor, Luey Giles, Troy Perrett (Alfie Tuck 67), Charlie Crew (Dakarai Mafico 85), Vimal Yogananthan (George Morgan 80), Frederick Issaka (Cruz Allen 67), Gabriele Biancheri, Elliot Myles (Cody Twose 80).
England U19: Tommy Setford, Zach Abbott, Joshua Acheampong, Joseph Johnson, Triston Rowe, Kiano Dyer (Lewis Orford 90), Lewis Miley, Tyrique George (Mikey Moore 72), Tyler Dibling (Kadan Young 68), Ethan Whiteley (Shumaira Mheuka 68), Joshua King (Chris Rigg 67).
7:00pm Kick Off. Wednesday 19th March 2025, Nantporth, Bangor (att 2,531).
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