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Welcome to On-line Welsh Football. / Croeso i Pel-droed Cymru Ar-lein.

 Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.
Young guns news - Tuesday 27-Jan-09

Nicky Adams (Leicester/Rochdale) Has joined Rochdale on a months loan as he bids to get more playing time under his belt.  The Wales U21 international has played 16 times for the Foxes this season but has not figured that much of late and felt that a move away would be beneficial to his progress.

Nathan Craig (Everton - midfielder) Started for the reserves on Tuesday night as they took on Hull City at the Halton Stadium.  Craig played 90 minutes in the back four, but victory proved elusive as the second string lost 1-0. 

Ryan Doble (Southampton - midfielder) Came off the bench and played 30 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday night as he starts to get more game time for the seniors.  The Wales U19 international unfortunately was not on the winning side as Millwall won 2-1 and could have had a goal but for a good save from Lenny Pidgeley whilst one on one.  Doble was also praised on the weekend by youth team coach Stewart Henderson who was described his performance as excellent during his sides defeat by West Ham.    

Paul Dummett (Newcastle - defender) + Keiron Freeman (Nottingham Forest - defender) Came face to face last Saturday morning as the Forest U18 team travelled to Tyneside to face Newcastle.  The Wales youth team internationals played 90 minutes as the game finished 1-1 with Forest claiming their first away point this season.

Sam Hart (Preston - defender/midfielder) Started and played 90 minutes as the U18 team stuck an amazing eleven goals past Blackpool last weekend. 

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Was back with the youth team last Saturday as they took a bit of a tonking from West Ham.  The game finished 4-1 to the Hammers with McLaggon getting an assist for the Saints.  On Tuesday night the Barry born youngster was back on song with a goal for reserves in the 2-1 defeat by Millwall, with McLaggon getting the loan striker role.

Alex Titchiner (Crewe - striker) Got on the score sheet again, his second in less than a week as Crewe put the disappointment of losing in the FA Youth Cup behind them with a 3-0 win against Everton at the weekend.  The North Wales born striker bagged his sides second as they cruised to a win against Everton.     

Sam Wedgbury (Sheffield Utd/Ferencvaros - midfielder) Has joined Ferencvaros in Hungary on loan as he looks to get match experience under his belt.  The Worcester born midfielder is one of three Blades academy players who will travel to Budapest for a season long loan. 

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace/Bournemouth - defender) Got his debut for the Cherries last Saturday as they travelled to Rotherham in League Two.  The Wales U21 international played 90 minutes, but it was not to be a winning debut as they lost 1-0.  He was joined in the starting XI by Joe Partington (Bournemouth - midfielder).

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough - defender) Played 90 minutes as he continued his rehabilitation after lateral knee ligament damage.  Unfortunately, similar to the seniors, the reserves lost on Merseyside as Liverpool won 2-0.  Although the Perth born defender will be pleased to have lasted the distance and will now target a possible loan spell and an appearance for the U21's in Belfast. 
Young guns news - Sunday 18-Jan-09

Joe Allen (Swansea - midfielder) Started again as the Swans broke their series of defeats with a 2-0 win against Burnley.  The Wales U21 international played 65 minutes as Roberto Martinez' men picked up three points at Turf Moor.

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender/midfielder) And his team mates fought for everything as The Valley crowd turned on them during the FA Cup replay against Norwich in midweek.  Basey was back in the starting XI after Jay McEveley returned to Derby.  The Wales U21 international got stuck in from the off as the Addicks ran out 1-0 winners and probably put paid to Glenn Roeder keeping his job. 

Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester - midfielder) And the Foxes U18 team won their first game after the winter break last weekend.  The Wales U19 started the game as Leicester beat Charlton 4-2.

Simon Church (Reading - striker) Had a good run out for the reserves in midweek as the Royals beat Brighton 3-0.  The Wales U21 international had a hand in one of the goals, but will realise that he may have to leave the club once again to get regular match football if he is going to continue to progress in hir career.

Nathan Craig (Everton - midfielder) Started as the Everton youth team took on Burnley on Wednesday night in the FA Youth Cup.  And it was the Toffeemen who were victorious, cruising through to the next round with a 3-1 win.  The Burnley consolation goal was created after a good cross from Liam Newman (Burnley - striker) who was a second half sub. 

Paul Dummett (Newcastle - defender) Played 90 in defence as Newcastle youth travelled to London to play QPR in the FA Youth Cup.  The young left back put in an impressive shift as the game finished 3-1 win the Magpies coming out on top.

Keiron Freeman (Nottingham Forest - defender) Played 90 minutes as the Forest youth team beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup this week.  The former Wales U16 international was close to getting on the score sheet as well with a curling free kick. 

Gerwyn Jones (Tranmere - defender/midfielder) Scored one of the pressure penalties in the penalty shoot out as the FA Youth Cup tie between Rovers and Cardiff City finished 0-0 after normal time.  Unfortunately for Jones his side lost the shoot out after sudden death.  Unfortunately Ashton Taylor (Tranmere - midfielder) was sent off for a second bookable during the match. 

Adam Matthews (Cardiff City - defender) Has signed his first professional contract at Ninian Park, and all this in a week where the City youth team advanced to the next round of the FA Youth Cup.  Although the youngster missed his penalty during the shoot out, the FAW Trust young player of the year will now look to follow in the footsteps of players such as Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley and make the step up into the first team squad. 

Jonathan North (Watford - goalkeeper) Kept a clean sheet as Watford stung the Saints in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night.  North made several fine saves as Southampton applied pressure on the Hornets, mostly through the pace of Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - midfielder/striker) who did everything but score.  The game eventually finished 1-0. The Southampton starting XI also contained Ryan Doble (Southampton - midfielder) and Gary Preen (Southampton - midfielder).

Rhys Taylor (Chelsea - goalkeeper) Preserved his sides point with several fine saves as the Blues drew 1-1 with Fulham in a mini reserve derby on Monday night.  The Wales U21 international keeper made some top drawer stops as the Cottagers hammered at the door late on.  He will now face a battle with Jonathan North (Watford - goalkeeper) for the U21 number one jersey.

Alex Titchiner (Crewe - striker) And the Crewe Youth team squandered a 2-0 lead in the FA Youth Cup against Birmingham this week.  The striker scored his sides second goal after pouncing on a rebound off the post, but shortly after the Railwaymen came off the tracks with Birmingham scoring three during the second half.  The Blues squad contained Shane Williams (Birmingham - midfielder) who made a late appearance as a sub. 

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough - defender) Was back in reserve team action for the first time since his knee injury in Romania.  The Perth born defender played as the Boro reserves drew 1-1 with Grimsby.
Young guns news - Sunday 11-Jan-09

Ramon Calliste (Cambridge City - striker) Will spend a few days training with Shrewsbury after ending his short term contract with Cambridge City.  After spells with Manchester United, Liverpool and Scunthorpe it seems that the former Wales U21 international is trying to build his career back up from the lower levels.

Simon Church (Reading - striker) Made his first senior appearance last week at Ninian Park in the FA Cup.  The Wales U21 international who came off the bench with 16 minutes left and slotted into the left wing position as the Royals were sunk 2-0.  With internationals such as Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt and Shane Long ahead of him, it could take a great deal of patience before he plays regular first team football.

Josh Dawkin (Norwich - midfielder) Spoke this week about his excitement about winning caps for Wales at youth level and also how he actually qualifies for Wales.

My Mum was born in Wales, though she only lived there a few weeks because my Grandad was in the RAF.  It's brilliant to be in the team and it's good going away to places all over the world.  I'm really pleased to get my cap." - Josh Dawkin  The tricky winger had two reasons to celebrate this week as his side beat Stoke City on penalties in the FA Youth Cup.  He was joined in the starting XI by David Stephens (Norwich - defender/midfielder).

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - midfielder) Will have gained valuable experience last weekend as the Saints crumbled at the hands of the Red Devils in the FA Cup.  McLaggon was brought on after 56 minutes as the home side lost 3-0 to the European Champions at St Mary's.  He may well have been advised to speak to a certain Ryan Giggs after the game, for a few words of wisdom after the game.

Joe Partington (Bournemouth - midfielder) Was being watched by Brian Flynn last weekend as the Wales U19 international started for Bournemouth against Darlington.  The midfielder lasted 90 minutes as the Cherries were sunk 2-1.

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace/Bournemouth - defender) Has gone on loan to Bournemouth on the recommendation of ex Cherries favourite Carl Fletcher.  After making an appearance for the first team before Christmas the left back has been told by manager Neil Warnock that he could leave on loan.  A stint away from the parent club is not always a bad thing as Wales youth internationals Grant Basey (Charlton - defender/midfielder) and James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) will vouch for after spells at Brentford.   
Young guns news - Sunday 4-Jan-09

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender/midfielder) Was back in midfield as the Addicks managed to throw away a 1-0 lead against Sheffield Utd over the Christmas period.  The Wales U21 international slotted into the left side of midfield as Charlton slumped to another defeat in the Championship.

Andy King (Leicester - midfielder) Kept up his fine form with another trade mark long drive as the Foxes picked up another win against Hereford last weekend.  The U21 international picked up his sides second goal and his ninth of the season after 71 minutes as they beat the Bulls 2-1.

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton -midfielder) Burst on to the scene over Christmas with two substitute appearances for the seniors.  After over 30 minutes against Plymouth on Boxing Day, the Barry born midfielder stepped off the bench once more as picked up an assist as the Saints nearly took all three points against Reading last weekend.  After some impressive performances for the youth and reserve side, it seems that the former Wales U19 international has impressed manager Jan Poortevielt.

Joe Partington (Bournemouth - midfielder) Benefited from the retirement of Darren Anderton, after the England midfielder decided to hang up his boots a few weeks ago. Partington slotted into his position and bagged himself a goal on his first start as the Cherries beat Bury just before Christmas.  The Wales U19 international scored from the edge of the box as his side picked up valuable three points in the on going quest to avoid the drop from League Two.

Ashton Taylor (Tranmere - midfielder) Has signed his first professional contract after impressing during youth and reserve team games this year.  The Wales U19 international will now look to push on for a first team spot with the comfort of his new contract.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Picked up his 13th goal of the season as the Dragons drew 1-1 with Woking last Saturday.  The Wales U21 squad member has become a vital part of Dean Saunders' Wrexham revolution and will also have an eye on being involved in the international v Northern Ireland in February.
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