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| Welsh Football Young news - by Owain Jones |
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need as much feedback as possible on any Young Guns - |
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Young guns news -
Friday 28th January 2005. Thomas Carter (MK Dons - midfielder) - Was a constant thorn in the Bluebirds side on Saturday, as the U18's clashed in the league. The Welsh qualified youngster created havoc with his crossing ability but he couldn't quite inspire his side to all three points as the game finished in a 1-1 draw. Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) + Alex Lawless (Fulham - defender) - Played the full 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night against Crystal Palace. Both have been involved with the reserves on several occasions this season, without always being permanent starters. With Fulham and Chris Coleman keen to give youth a go with resources a bit thin on the ground, it could well be a good time to be in and around Craven Cottage. Kyle Critchell (Southampton - defender) - Got 90 minutes under his belt for the reserves as they lost by 2-1 to Watford. It was another step in the right direction for the Wales U17 international who will look to make the step to U19 level this season. Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Once again hit the back of the net as a rejuvanated beat Kidderminster 3-1 at the weekend. The former Wales U17 international scored in the first half with a cool finish and will once again put his name forward for a place in Brian Flynns U21 squad. Richard Duffy (Portsmouth - defender) - Has literally been sent to Coventry by his club as they seek to give him more match experience at Championship level. The highly promising defender will spend the next three months under the guidance of Micky Adams as he tries to prove that he has what it takes to play at the highest level. "We're delighted to have signed Richard. He's got experience with a Premier League outfit which will be invaluable to us." Micky Adams, Coventry manager. Lewis Guy (Newcastle - striker) - Scored his sides only goal as they drew the North East derby with Sunderland this week. The former Wales school striker is another Welsh qualified player who could make the decision to change allegiance should things not happen for him with the Three Lions. Carl Harris (Shrewsbury - defender) - Was given the news last Friday that he wouldn't be staying on at Gay Meadow. It is always a tough time for the scholars who after three years at the club, will now look away from the club for a contract. Although Carl could take heart from former Shrews trainee Chris Venables (Caersws - midfielder) who has been an influential figure in the League of Wales this season after being shown the door by the border town club. Anthony Pulis (Stoke - defender) - Was an unused substitute on Saturday as Torquay drew 2-2 with Bradford. The son of Stoke manager Tony Pulis has been loaned out to gain match experience and will look to break into the starting XI before his loan period is over. He will be delighted to have been given the news this week, that after no youth team call ups for Wales, he will now join up with the U21's for the game against Germany next month. Mitchell Booth (Derby - midfielder) + Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) + Dan Martin (Derby - defender) - All started for the reserves on Tuesday night, as a very inexperienced Rams team took on Portsmouth. It was to be a good night for them as well, as the young Rams ran out 1-0 winners on the night. |
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Young guns news -
Friday 21st January 2005. Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) - Was praised for his magnificent performance against West Ham for the Southampton U16's on Saturday. The former Wales U16 squad member was playing only his third game at centre half in a game in which coach Andy Ritchie described him as being a colossus at the back. The Saints ran out 3-2 winners on the day. David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) - Scored from the spot at the second attempt, but his goal was not enough to save City from crashing out of the FA Youth Cup. The Cardiff born striker also had a goal disallowed as the City Youth team lost 3-1 against Leyton Orient. The Bristol starting XI contained Griff Jones (defender) and goalkeeper Sam Pearce. Andrew Crofts (Gillingham - midfielder) - Scored the winner against Plymouth to top off a week which saw him sign a new four and a half year contract at Priestfield. He will now wait to see if he can make it a hat trick when Brian Flynn and John Toshack name the U21 and senior squads on the 26th of this month. Crofts was joined in the squad by Jason Brown (goalkeeper) who is beginning his return from injury. Arron Davies (Yeovil - striker) - Scored as he continued his Yeovil career with some more goals as a Yeovil XI drew 2-2 with Weymouth. The former Southampton striker will now set his sights on winning a permanent spot in the starting line up which is not an easy thing to do with the team doing so well in the league. Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Scored again to mark what is turning into a superb few weeks for the former Wales U19 striker. The youngster went on a forty yard run before cutting in from the left and firing the ball home. Much like Andrew Crofts, he is in a great position to break into the U21 squad when it is announced at the end of the month. Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) - Got a 15 minutes run out for the WBA reserves against Newcastle this week. The former Wales U17 captain has been an unused sub on a few occasions this season but will be keen to show new manager Bryan Robson that there are a few midfielders of promise coming through the ranks at The Hawthorns. Sean Evans (Man Utd - left winger) - Bagged a brace as Man Utd's U18 team thumped Crewe 5-0 on Saturday morning. The Ludlow born former Shrewsbury youth teamer got his sides first and fourth goal as his side outclassed the Railwaymen. He is another player that has been watched very closely by Brian Flynn and could well future in the next few youth squads. Luke Graham (Northampton - defender) - Returned this week from successful month loan spell at Aylesbury Utd. The Wales U19 international has been a permanent member of the reserve side this season and will now look to convince Cobblers manager Colin Calderwood that he has what it takes to be a first team squad member. David Jones (Man Utd - midfielder) - Might find himself out on loan in the near future after manager Alex Ferguson admitted that he is looking to farm out the Welsh qualified youngster to get some game time. The Southport born midfielder got a taste of first team action during the FA Cup encounter with Exeter, and will now relish the chance to go out to a league club ashe builds his career. Liam Maloney (Preston - midfielder) - Got an assist to his name but it was not to be enough as his side crashed out of the FA Youth cup to a multi national Arsenal team. The Wales U17 international set up his sides opening goal as the Lilleywhites took a shock lead. It would not be enough though as the junior Gunners moved into the fifth round of the Cup. Liam Norval (Leicester - defender) - Came face to face with Wales U17 and U19 international Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) on Monday night as Leicester reserves took on the Cottagers. Both started the game with former Wales U19 international Alex Lawless on the bench. It was to be a ding dong battle with honours even as the game finished 2-2. Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) - Just a quick apology to the family, for spelling his name incorrectly....sorry. On another note, the Nottingham Forest message board has news that he is being tracked by the club. Gareth Owen (Stoke - defender) - Took another step on the road to recovery with an assertive 49 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday reserves on Monday night. The former Wales U20 international will now set his sights on regaining a spot in the first team squad, after managing some impressive performances before he suffered from another injury setback. Owen Price (Spurs - striker) - Got 45 minutes under his belt as he returned from injury for the reserves against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. The Welsh qualified striker was a half time substitute for Welsh international Simon Davies who was making his own comeback from a long term injury. Scott Thyer (Spurs - striker) - Kept his cool to score from the penalty spot as the Spurs youth team dumped Liverpool out of the Cup. The striker was introduced as a 58th minute substitute and made an instant impression with some forceful runs that upset the Liverpool defence. But it was during the penalties that the Wales U19 international kept his nerve as his side went through on penalties. Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) - Claimed a spot on the Yeovil senior team bench on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Oxford. The Neath born striker may now get the opportunities he craves after the departure of Gavin Williams to West Ham. He will be in good company at Yeovil, with Arron Davies (striker) also making a good first impression with manager Gary Johnson. Both players will welcome the appointment of Brian Flynn as youth supremo, as word has it that he is knocking up a large mileage as he travels around the country watching Welsh qualified players. He was not to be as happy during the tail end of the week as a red card during the 6-0 thrashing by Everton in the FA youth cup hung a cloud over his first team opportunity. |
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Young guns news -
Saturday 15th January 2005. Mitchell Booth (Derby - midfielder) + Dan Martin (Derby - defender) + Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) - Will face another round of the FA Youth Cup after the Derby youth team beat Sheffield Utd 3-2 on Tuesday night. The three Welsh youth players who have all been heavily involved with the youth team this season, will now look to progress further in the competition. Ramon Calliste (Man Utd - striker) - Scored his sides first goal as a young Utd reserve side beat Shrewsbury 3-0 this week. The Wales U21 international caused former Wales U19 squad member Ross Stephens (midfielder) all kinds of problems with his pace, as the Red Devils cruised to an easy victory. David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) - Speaks of his hopes of making it into the starting XI over on the Bristol City official web site www.bcfc.co.uk The rapid progress made by Cotterill of late, has allowed manager Brian Tinnion to allow fellow striker Steve Gillespie and Lee Miller to go out on loan. The Cardiff born striker has been on the bench over the past few games and will now look to make a real mark at Ashton Gate and on youth team supremo Brian Flynn. "It's still going to be a huge task getting past Leroy Lita, Steve Brooker and Paul Heffernan because all of them are playing well. I've loved the short time I have spent on the field for the first team and can't wait for another opportunity" - David Cotterill Andrew Crofts (Gillingham - midfielder/striker) - Must be quietly confident of playing some part in Wales' U21 campaign this year after cementing his place in the Gillingham midfield over the past couple of months. The former Wales U19 has been in fine form this season, and will now await the announcement of the U21 squad for the game against Germany with a great deal of confidence. Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Has been in outstanding form for the U's after managing to break into the first team a few weeks ago. The former Wales U17 and U19 striker hit the net over the Christmas period and has been in great form for Ramon Diaz' side try to pull away from the Division Two trap door. He is another candidate for Brian Flynn's U21 side for the game against Germany in February. David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Is another of Wales' young guns who has hit some form of late after a terrible start to the season. The former Wales U19 international was watched by Aston Villa last season, but has been in and out of the first team this season after a dip in confidence. Along with Jamie Tolley, Edwards has seen fortunes change for the Shrews as they try and climb away from the relegation zone. Rob Edwards (Wolves - defender) - Got another 90 minutes under his belt this week as Wolves played Crewe in a training match. The Wales international will be keen to get back to full fitness so he can prove to new manager Glenn Hoddle that he has what it takes to make his side tighter at the back Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) - Struck to give the Rovers reserve side an early lead against Cheltenham on Tuesday night as he lobbed the goalie in the 20th minute. It was not to be enough though as the Robins came back to win 2-1, although it can't have done Haldane's chances of a first XI break through any harm. David Jones (Man Utd - midfielder) - Played the full 90 minutes against Exeter on Saturday and was one of the only Red Devils to come away with any plaudits from the game. It remains to be seen whether he will make it for the replay, with Fergie desperate not to be embarrassed for the second time running. It also remains to be seen whether Brian Flynn and ex Utd Academy director David Williams can convince Jones that his international future lies with Wales rather than England. The Southport born midfielder who has Welsh parents is still keeping his options open, but would be a feather in Toshacks cap if he could convince him to play for the Dragon rather than the Three Lions. Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) - Started as Boltons reserve side took on Rochdale in the Lancashire Senior Cup on Wednesday night. The Cardiff born defender played the full 90 minutes as his side lost to a first half strike by Kevin Townson. He is another player who will look forward to pressing his claims for a regular reserve team starting spot in 2005 Anthony Pulis (Stoke - defender) - Has moved to join his father at Stoke after opting to leave Fratton Park to further his career. He is now out on loan at Torquay as he tries to gain some game experience and force his way into the U21 side. The former Wales U16 squad member was an unused sub in Torquay's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield at the weekend. |
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