Captain Luc Leads Wales In Victory Shield Opener

Newport teenager Luc Noble was Welsh team captain for their opening Victory Shield Under-16 match at Belfast’s Seaview Stadium.

The centre-half, who plays for Bristol Rovers Academy, led Wales in a 1-1 draw at the home of Crusaders FC.

Dan Malone scored a first half goal to put Wales ahead 1-0 at half-time, but the Scots fought back to earn a draw.

Joshua Thomas, Luke Motruk, Will Rickard and Bradley Gibbins are Swansea City players in the squad, while the Cardiff City players involved are Ntazana Meyemba, Eli King and Cavan Williams

Wrexham’s Liam Higgins makes up the eight from Welsh clubs.

Wales worked hard throughout and were good value for a hard-earned draw.

The next test for Wales is against Republic of Ireland at Clandeboye Park, Bangor FC on Wednesday.

The Welsh players are looking to build on their proud recent record in the Victory Shield. Ben Woodburn and Ethan Ampadu inspired Wales to end their 66-year tournament hoodoo in 2015 and they retained it a year later.

Manager Osian Roberts’ boys were denied a historic hat-trick by a strong Republic of Ireland outfit last time out, but the class of 2017, which contains three veterans of last year’s tournament in Edinburgh, are hoping to bring the famous old trophy back to Wales for the third time in four years.

Having warmed-up with two resounding wins over Gibraltar, the 22-man squad is full of confidence that they can bring the Victory Shield back over the Irish Sea.

Wales (starting XI v Scotland): David Robson, Jamie Taylor, Ollie Denham, Lic Noble (capt), Luke Motruk, Owen Hesketh, Ollie Ewing, Bradley Gibbings, Dan Malone, Cavan Williams, Will Russ.

Victory Shield fixtures: 

Wednesday, October 25 Wales v Republic of Ireland at Clandeboye Park, Bangor FC (11am).

Friday, October 27 Wales v Northern Ireland at Clandeboye Park, Bangor FC (5pm).

Squad: David Robson (Hull City), Daniel Confrey (Southend United), Jack Madelin (AFC Wimbledon), Luc Noble (Bristol Rovers), Oliver Denham (Manchester United), Iestyn Hughes (Manchester United), Luke Motruk (Swansea City), Joshua Francombe (Atlanta United), Owen Hesketh (Manchester City), Eli King (Cardiff City), Will Rickard (Swansea City), Dan Malone (Stoke City), Oliver Ewing (Fulham), Owen Beck (Liverpool), Callum King-Harmes (Wolves), Bradley Gibbings (Swansea City), Cavan Williams (Cardiff City), Liam Higgins (Wrexham), Ntazana Meyemba (Cardiff City),Will Russ (Chesterfield), Joshua Thomas (Swansea City), Jamie Taylor (Bristol City).

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