CENTENARY SHIELD

FOOTBALL SCOTTISH SCHOOLS ... 2 WELSH SCHOOLS ......... 3

BRIDGEND College student Sam Snaith was again on the scoresheet, as Welsh Schools came from behind to pip their Scottish counterparts at Palmerston Park home of Queen of the South FC, writes Tony Poole.

And the victory was again achieved in adversity because Wales had Gwent College midfield player Keane Royall sent off in the 28th minute.

But having previously finished with just nine men during a remarkable 1-0 win over England in Cardiff, this was another superb performance from the young Dragons.

Llantwit Major star Snaith netted after just five minutes, but two goals in the space of 10 minutes from Gavin Watt and Cameron Clark mo- cast a hoodoo on local sides, eliminating Pencoed from the W J Owen Cup; defeating Cornelly Utd in the league and drawing with high-flying Cefn Cribwr.

But Porthcawl are looking to finish the season with a bang, and they exploded into the game with a 20th-minute goal.

Adam Jones headed home at the back post, and this signalled a first goal for the club since returning from Jon McCarthy’s FC Porthcawl aristocrats during the autumn.

That calmed the Seasiders and with Crofts, Hayden Lau and evergreen Thomas Warren constant thorns in the Welsh side’s flesh, they went two goals clear on the half-hour mark.

Porthcawl won possession in a dangerous area, resulting in hitman Crofts tored Scotland into the driving seat.

Royall departed soon after and with the halftime score reading 2-1, Wales defied the odds in levelling on 72 minutes via Lathan Garrett (Cardiff & Vale College).

And just two minutes later the recovery process was complete when an own-goal ultimately gave Wales the win.

During the closing stages Wales adopted a “what we have we hold” policy to keep the Scots at bay. collecting a remarkable 32nd goal of the season.

It was 2-0 at the turnaround and Clwb Cymric did start the second half in a more determined mood.

More was then seen of hard-working defenders Adam Jones, Andy Emery, Joe Downes and fans favourite Rob Davis.

And on the few occasions Clwb Cymric did manage to get shots on goal, big Brad Robinson was as safe as the Bank of England.

But the Seasiders weathered the storm, and were again swimming with the tide after making it 3-0 on the hour.

A sizzling Lau finish gave him a magnificent seven goals for the campaign, and the three points were heading for Lock’s Lane.

Porthcawl complete fixtures on Saturday at AFC Whitchurch.