England C and Paul Fairclough ready to renew rivalry with Wales

Paul Fairclough’s England C side are set to renew their rivalry with Wales for a third time in an International Challenge Match.

Cymru C and England C are looking forward to meeting at the home of Caernarfon Town on Tuesday 24 March after the international was announced by The Football Association of Wales and the English FA on Monday.

When the nations met earlier this year at Salford’s Peninsular Stadium, the match ended in a 2-2 draw with goals from Kayne McLaggon and Adam Roscrow. England took the honours in 2018 with a 3-2 victory in Barry.

Laurence Maguire, brother of full England international Harry, captained an England side featuring three players from the National League North – Darlington full-back Luke Trotman, Kidderminster’s Ed Williams and FC United striker Willoughby – in the starting XI.

Mark Jones and Owain Tudur Jones are relishing their return to manage Cymru in a 7.45pm kick off at The Oval home of Caernarfon, a footballing hotbed in west Wales.

“We’re excited about playing this match at the home of Caernarfon Town,” said Jones.

“We know that not only the Cofis passionate fans will come out in support of the Cymru C squad at The Oval but all those in the surrounding area as well, and we can’t wait to bring international football to their doorstep.

“This will be the third match between Cymru and England in as many seasons and I will be attempting to assemble a strong squad to give us the best possible chance in March.”

England C boss Fairclough said: “I look forward with great anticipation to the England C fixture against Wales.  In the last two seasons we have renewed our links with our friends from the FAW, resulting in this established annual fixture.

“The previous encounters have provided a feast of goals and entertainment for the fans of football. The technical quality outstanding. I am confident that we have another great game of football to look forward to.”

Fairclough will be hoping his side can bounce back from a reverse in their last outing, a 2-0 defeat in Estonia.

It was tough on Non-League’s Three Lions, who suffered late defeat in Tallinn as Estonia U23 hit two quick-fire goals in the final minutes.

England fans had earlier seen Isaac Galliford smash the post from a free-kick, had a penalty claim waved away and arguably been the better side in the second half.

Ticketing details for the fixture will be released by the Welsh and English FAs in due course.

 Images courtesy of The Football Association/David Loveday

Tagged England C, Paul Fairclough