Manchester City goalkeeper Max Hudson (2007) will certainly have enjoyed the experience of being on the bench for the first team last week when playing a Champions League match in Italy. Seemingly it was an eventful day for him, on the bench for City’s U-19’s in an afternoon match against their Juventus counterparts and then a short trip to Turin’s Allianz Stadium for the senior match in the evening. Quite a thrill for him I’m sure, a reward for performances for the U-18’s that indicated the coaches’ confidence in his ability. Also, an incentive for him to continue in his efforts to succeed and aspire to another opportunity for senior football involvement in the future. Max was of course mentioned last week as a member of the U-18 team playing in the FA Youth Cup. Missing from that game was defender Rhys Thomas (2006), presumably injured. Club captain for the age group, Rhys has played regularly for the team earlier in the season but has not done so lately. Rhys was involved in most of the many games the Wales U-17 team played in the 2022/23 season as they progressed through the qualifying rounds to the end of season finals. He also played for the U-19 team earlier this season.

Now for some more news about players taking part in the latest FA Youth Cup matches. Firstly, my apologies to Tomos Gibbs (2008) and my omission of not acknowledging his participation in the Bristol City U-18 team when mentioning their match last week. Tomos, a defender, is a first year scholar at the club and last season played for the Wales Schools U-16 team that competed against an Australia Schools team. AFC Bournemouth’s U-18 team moved on to the next round of the competition with a 3-2 win in their game. A goal apiece from midfielders Charlie Stevens and Josh Salmon (both 2007) significant contributions in the victory. An emphatic victory ensured Everton U-18’s continuation in the competition, with Aled Thomas and George Morgan (both 2006) members of the team and Luis Gardner (2008) one of the substitutes. George Morgan was one of the Everton goal scorers as they beat a Nottingham Forest team who probably had Isaac Davies (2007) playing for them. I have been unable to locate a published lineup to verify the fact. The Wrexham U-18 team, having progressed to this stage in the competition for the first time in almost twenty years, were ousted after a defeat by Lincoln City. Rio Owen (2006), Hari Roberts (2007) and Dafydd Edwards (2008) were in the starting lineup and midfielder Joe Rees (2008) entered the game for the last fifteen minutes or so. Defender Regan Nicholas (2006), goalkeeper Bryn Owen (2007) and midfielder Nikolas Slosarczyk (2008) were amongst the substitutes. The club’s intention to strengthen the academy system and emulate successes of the well-regarded past is saluted and welcomed. The victorious Lincoln team had defender Noah Simmons (2007) in their starting team along with defender Leo Vout (2009) being on the bench. Leo, who was also a substitute for the two previous rounds, is a member of the club’s academy and played in the 2023 Cymru Cup games.  Swansea’s U-18’s, with all but one of their 18 player squad eligible for Wales, were defeated by Southampton. They were awarded a lot of credit for making it a closely fought contest, the second goal in a 2-0 margin being scored through a penalty awarded in added time. In their starting lineup were midfielder Yori Griffith (2006) and defender Iestyn Jones (2007) who are both professionally contracted at the club. Second year scholars in the team were goalkeeper Sam Seager (2007) and midfielders Jacob Cook, Tom Woodward (both 2006) and Callum Deacon (2007). They were joined by defender Kiel Higginson and midfielder Aidan Higgins (both 2007) as well as forward Ramon Rees-Siso (2006) being amongst the substitutes. Forward Morgan Bates (2006) was signed as a scholar by the club just after the start of the season after previously being at Briton Ferry Llansawel. I intend to find an opportunity to discuss the younger players in the squad at some point in the future. Accredited with almost two dozen caps in his collection, central defender Charlie Street (2008) has been a regular selection in Wales teams since first doing so at U-15 level and continuing with the U-17’s this season. An academy player with Queens Park Rangers, he played in numerous games for the U-18 team last season and has been a regular choice in this one. He was in the team last week as they made safe passage to the next round in their match. The tie involving Harrogate Town and the West Bromwich Albion U-18 teams was certainly a goal fest. With the score 4-4 at the end of normal time, two more by the Baggies in extra time allowed them to claim victory. Defender Rhys Morrish and midfielder Oliver Bostock (both 2007), contributed a goal apiece to the tally, adding extra satisfaction to their end of match celebration. Oliver also received plaudits for his performance throughout the match and will be doing his utmost to add to the first team experience he gained in pre-season. Defender +Adam Pow (2006) played for the Harrogate team, who earned a good amount of credit for their contribution to what had to be an entertaining match. In a match between the Luton Town and Crewe Alexandra U-18 teams, even the extra time played could not determine a winner, and so a penalty shoot-out was necessary to eventually declare Crewe as the victors. Midfielder +Charlie Trustram (2006), potentially eligible for Wales, scored a first half equalizing goal for Luton. Midfielders Callum Hardy (2006), Iago Scott Abel and Patrick Mlynarski (both 2008) started the game as substitutes for Crewe. Patrick entered the game shortly after the hour mark and scored in extra time to give his team the lead. Luton equalized before full time and then Patrick scored the final penalty of the night to confirm victory for his side. Derby County’s U-18’s were eventual comfortable winners with a couple of late goals in a 4-1 victory against Sunderland. Midfielder Cruz Allen (2007) provided an assist for one of those late goals after having scored his side’s second goal to break what had been a tied game at that point. Cruz’s vast majority of game time has been accumulated playing for the U-21 team this season, playing in most of their games, as the coaches facilitate his progress toward first team involvement. His qualities will no doubt be again recruited when the U-18 team competes in the next round. Although not involved in the cup match, goalkeeper Harvey Rees (2007) is a first year scholar at the club after previously being affiliated with Swansea’s academy. Harvey has played in a few games for the U-18’s this season as well as being on the bench in some other games.

All that remains is for me to let you know that this will be my last offering for 2024, and the next one is planned for early 2025. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb.

[ photo embedded from FAW cymru ]