Allen Resurrects Swans And Snow Causes Postponements: Welsh Football Round-Up



Rhodri Evans

Joe Allen’s late equaliser earnt the Swans a draw with West Brom, while Phil Parkinson’s 1000th match in management was celebrated by a Wrexham home win, as the snow impacted much of the Welsh football weekend.

In the Northeast, Calum Chambers strike saw Cardiff draw with Middlesborough, while Newport County’s match with Morecombe on Sunday succumbed to the snow.

Let’s get into it!

Joe Allen ‘Rises from the dead’ to rescue the Swans

When Joe Allen was substituted on for Liam Cullen in the 88th minute, with West Brom 0-1 up, the travelling fans took the opportunity to poke fun at the veteran Wales midfielder, chanting rather unkindly, ‘Joe Allen, we thought you were dead’.

The Wales legend has had a slightly odd 2024/25 season, struggling with injury issues but also making his return to international football after previously retiring from Welsh duty after the 2022 World Cup.

Just four minutes after coming on, Allen stole in at the front post to nod Ronald’s volleyed cross home to the delight of the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans fans responded to the West Brom fans in the only way football fans know how, singing ‘Joe Allen, you thought he was dead’.

After the week prior to this fixture was dominated by some misjudged comments from Swansea manager Luke Williams about the vacant West Brom managerial role, this late equaliser came at exactly the right time for Williams, Allen, and, of course, the Swans.

Swans
04.01.25 Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion, EFL Sky Bet Championship – Joe Allen of Swansea City celebrates after scoring an extra time goal.

Chambers Strike Earns Cardiff Draw At Boro

Cardiff continued their binary 2025 with another 1-1 draw, this time a well-earned one at Middlesborough on Saturday afternoon.

Ollie Tanner forced an excellent save from Boro keeper Tom Glover before the host scored with their first attack of the match through Emmanuel Latte Lath’s near post effort.

Cardiff, still in the relegation zone despite the draw, rallied quickly though, and Chambers’ excellent strike from the edge of the box after Middlesborough failed to fully clear a cross.

The second half was played at a lower quality than the first, with the hosts looking the more likely to win the match and Cardiff holding out well for a point.

Swans
04.01.25 – Middlesbrough v Cardiff City – Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City’s Callum O’Dowda, Dimitris Goutas and Jesper Daland congratulate Calum Chambers after scoring their first goal.

Fletcher Late Show on Parkinson’s Landmark

Steven Fletcher’s 87th minute winner capped off a perfect day for Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who celebrated his 1000th game in management.

With the best home record of any team in the EFL, what better time to host struggling Peterborough United.

While the visitors only had one shot on target, Wrexham struggled in attack. Without Elliott Lee, Wrexham struggled for creativity in the middle, resorting to crosses from Sebastian Revan and Jacob Mendy.

Paul Mullin, Matty James and Sebastian Revan all came close to scoring, but Wrexham once again turned to veteran striker Fletcher to save the day.

With 87 minutes on the clock, Ollie Rathbone’s delivery was hung up for the 37-year-old, and Fletcher rose highest to head Wrexham in front.

Fletcher is becoming a real supersub for Wrexham, scoring for the fourth in six matches from the bench. The result is an important one for Wrexham, who were in danger of being left behind by Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers at the top of League One.

Swans
23.12.23 – Wrexham v Newport County – Sky Bet League 2 – Steven Fletcher on the ball.

Newport and others succumb to the snow

Much of the football was postponed on Sunday, as the snow forced Newport County’s match with Morecombe to be postponed. The pitch at Rodney Parade failed an inspection so that fixture will be moved to a later date.

Elsewhere, Bala Town’s match with Caernarfon Town – a fixture already rearrange once this season – was called-off due to a frozen pitch at the Lakesiders’ Maes Tegid home.

All of Sunday’s Adran Premier action was postponed, while Gwalia United’s match with Oxford United in the English Southern Premier was also called off.

Three Cymru Premier matches were able to be played, with TNS needing a 100th minute winner to overcome Newtown 2-1, and Penybont sneaked past Connah’s Quay 1-0 to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

Haverfordwest County thrashed Briton Ferry Llansawel 5-1 to firmly establish themselves as the third best side in the Cymru Premier this season.


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