Welsh football team defiant after 25-0 thrashing

THE manager of a Welsh football team has promised his team won’t lose heart despite losing 25-0 in their last match.

Llandudno Athletic are remaining upbeat despite the 25-0 defeat. Picture: Glenn Harper

Rhys Lane, manager of Llandudno Athletic, saw his side concede 25 goals without reply in the match against local rivals Llandudno United - with a half-time score of 10-0, and admitted afterwards: “We collapsed a bit in the second half.”

Two players from United scored nine goals apiece in the rout.

Llandudno Athletic - who compete in Division 1 of the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Football League - have played 13 matches, losing 13 and conceding 131 along the way.

Athletic have netted just nine goals of their own.

But Lane told the Daily Post: “We all enjoy football and we know we are not the best team in the world, but they don’t stop trying.

“It’s about a group of lads getting together on a Saturday afternoon and doing what we enjoy doing – that’s playing football.”

Lane revealed that 16 under-18 players were involved in the match with one walking off after 15 minutes because he ‘didn’t fancy it’.

He added: “We are short of a bit of quality in our side but we have got some good young players.”

Due to a player shortage, the 6ft 5in Lane started in goal, but ended up in midfield as a result of an injury to another player.

Lane, who works as a supervisor for Topline Digital, added: “They are a bunch of committed lads and we will be there every week, no matter what.”

The scoreline exceeded that suffered by Cheadle Town of the North West Counties League, who lost 22-0 to Russia’s Under-19 team back in October.

And earlier this week, Vanarama Conference side Southport’s Under 18 team defeated opponents Leyland BTR 26-1.

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