Cardiff, Wales
February 2005

Prior to the friendly match against Hungary Gôl! were invited by Ali Yassine, the Millennium Stadium announcer, and Mark Evans of the FAW, to provide the half time entertainment, in the shape of a children's penalty shoot out.

A total £410 was raised by holding an auction on various websites for four of the five places, whilst the fifth and final place was given to the charity LATCH, based at Llandough Hospital.

The lucky children, who were all give a new Wales strip to wear on their big night as well as 3 tickets for their family were: Thomas Harding, aged 11 from Maesteg, Caleb Young, aged 9 from Llanboidy, Ashley Hollingshead, aged 9 from Pontypridd, Brandon Lau, aged 10 from Porthcawl and Sam Pearce, aged 7 from Aberaman.

(l to r): Caleb, Thomas, Dewi, Ashley, Sam and Brandon

Ten minutes before half time, all the children assembled in the posh surroundings of the St. David's Suite in the bowels of the Millennium Stadium, where they were taken down in the Stadium lift pitchside, to await their big moment to wander onto the sacred turf.

Out on the pitch, Brandon Lau was chosen, to step up to take the first penalty: "I ran up and hit the ball to the Dragon's right hand side. He dived the right way but was nowhere near the ball. It was a great feeling and was a brilliant day."

Next up was Thomas Harding: "When I came out of the tunnel I looked around and a wonderful sensation came over me, I was there in the Millennium Stadium on the famous pitch in front of the crowd.

My name was called and I felt like one of the great players scoring a winning goal for his country. I ran up and kicked the ball and  it was a wonderful feeling when it hit the back of the net. I really felt proud in my Welsh kit and it was the best birthday present anyone could wish for.

Thank you very much for organising it and I would like to thank my sister Emma for bidding in the auction and giving me the chance to be a part of history and also helping raise money for a good cause."

Next was Celeb Young: "My heart was in my mouth and was pumping as if the Devil was on my back Everyone else had scored so I ran forward an kicked the ball into the net - YES!"

Ashley Hollingshead was the fourth Gôl penalty taker and a few hearts missed a beat as he waltzed up to take the penalty left footed, but he scored with ease past Dewi.
Ashley said afterwards "I take penalties like that all the time for my team, but have never scored against a Dragon before so was a little bit worried. I thought the ball might hit him and hurt him and he would be very cross with me then."

Finally it was the turn of Sam Pearce, the youngest on the pitch at 7 years old: "When I ran out of the tunnel and onto the pitch I was so excited but very nervous.

Because I was the youngest boy the announcer made me go all the way back to the other penalty area and run the whole pitch to take my penalty.

As I run up the pitch the whole crowd cheered and I scored in the bottom corner- I was really glad! I then had a signed Welsh football, Kappa bag and Wales kit to keep to remember the day."

To round off the competition, Dewi had to take a penalty with the five children in goal and failed miserably, the ball trickling towards all five kids.

A hilarious ending to a great 10 minutes in Welsh Football Interval entertainment.