AFTER a year of planning and fund raising, on May 30 Brecon Corries Under 14’s travelled to France to play FC Gouesnou as part of the 30th anniversary twinning celebrations between the two towns. Greeted by Corries crests and Welsh flags, the team arrived at Stade Crann excited to play their first ever match on foreign soil.
Looking like a professional outfit the Corries began their 20-minute warm-up in their new match day jackets kindly sponsored by the Vehicle Repair Centre.
Then emerging in front of a rapturous 200-strong crowd, the Corries were led out by captain and Welsh international Carys Bufton. Both teams lined up and each player was announced to the crowd before introductions and handshakes with the Mayor of Gouesnou and his dignitaries. The teams then shook hands before the captains exchanged pennants. Brecon won the toss and elected to kick off. The next 80 minutes would decide which team would be taking home the Friendship Cup.
The game started with the Corries very much on the front foot and looking to get an early advantage but the hosts soon got into the game with some excellent one-touch passing and fantastic movement off the ball. The first goal of the game came as the very quick French forwards broke through the Brecon back three, Corries goalkeeper Lewie Crockett managing an excellent close-range save only for the ball to land at the feet of a Gouesnou player who confidently struck the ball into the net. 1-0.
Gouesnou doubled their lead from a corner as they glanced a near perfect header in off the far post. The Gouesnou crowd, partly made up of their under 9 and under 11 teams was now at full volume. They could have made it 3-0 if not for a save from Lewie Crockett who at full stretch tipped the ball over the bar. Brecon came close to getting a goal back when Tristan Dillon hit the post, luck didn’t seem to be going the visitors way.
Half time and it looked very much like the 15 hour overnight journey had taken its toll on the South Powys outfit.
The teams came out for the second half and whatever was said by Corries manager Ade Boyde at half time certainly did the trick. Brecon soon took control of the game and on the 51st minute after some fantastic play between Tristan Dillon and wing-back Caled Thomas the ball was crossed in to Merthyr Academy player of the year Kiban Rai who rattled the ball in off both posts. 2-1. Only five minutes later the Corries were level after Tristan Dillon beat three FC Gouesnou defenders and slotted the ball past a charging goalkeeper. Gouesnou managed to retake the lead from a free kick which was headed in at the far post. The Corries could have had a penalty after midfielder Rory Orton was seemingly brought down in the box only for it to be waved away by the Irish referee. Still a goal down and with time running out the once partisan French crowd were now cheering for the Welsh side. With only a few minutes remaining on the clock Kiban Rai launched a corner in to the front post for midfielder Luis Price to rise above the defence and loop it over the keeper. 3-3. Corries went close in the final moments as a tightly marked Dan Phillpott couldn’t quite direct a Carys Bufton cross towards goal.
With the referee blowing the whistle for full time, the inaugural Friendship Cup would now be decided on penalties. Gouesnou won the toss and took take the first penalty which was confidently placed into the bottom right corner. 1-0. Dan Phillpott was up first for the Corries brilliantly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 1-1. Gouesnou scored next through Tristan Dillon. 2-2. Gouesnou scored their third and then took the advantage thanks after Kiban Rai’s penalty was saved. 3-2. Lewie Crockett managed to keep the next penalty out of the net. Rory Orton was up next to put Corries back on level terms. 3-3. Having dived the wrong way, the Brecon stopper than managed to keep the next penalty out, saving with his legs. 3-4. Fifth penalty taker Lewie Crockett then won the Friendship Cup for Corries sending the Gouesnou keeper the wrong way.