Football: Flintshire Schoolboys help Wales crush England in Victory Shield

Oct 21 2010 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

TWO Flintshire Schoolboys players were part of the record-breaking Wales U16s team who beat defending champions England at Haverfordwest County’s ground in the Victory Shield opener.

Wales defeated the Three Lions 4-0 on Friday – the first time they had put four past their bitter rivals since 1949 and their first ever Victory Shield win over England – and Bradley Reid and Curtis Strong both played their part.

Strong, on Stoke City’s academy books, played from the start in a resolute defence that kept Kenny Swain’s England at bay comfortably.

All Wales’ goals came in the first half as they cut England apart time and again.

On 40 minutes, Wrexham Academy striker and Eryrys resident Reid was introduced and he was lively, proving a real handful for the England defence.

After the break shell-shocked England opted to try to limit the damage and parked the bus in front of goal reducing Wales’ chances to increase their lead.