Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.

Young guns news - Sunday 22-Feb-09

Jon Brown (Wrexham - striker) Struck his sides second goal as the Dragons kept up pace with the other play off contenders last Saturday. Brown scored from 22 yards with a superbly taken free kick into the top right hand corner of the net.

Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester - midfielder) Struck his sides third goal as they beat Watford 3-1 in a youth international last weekend. The Watford bench contained Jonathan North (Watford - goalkeeper) who was rested after FA Youth Cup action.

Nathan Craig (Everton - midfielder) Scored a freak goal in the mini derby v Liverpool on Tuesday night. The Wales U19 international scored from a drop ball after play was stopped after an injury to one of the Liverpool players. As the ball was dropped, Craig lofted the ball back to the opposition only to watch the keeper make a complete hash of it and let it in.

Reece Jones (Fulham - midfielder) Celebrated a call up to the Wales U17 squad with a goal for the Academy side last Saturday morning. Jones scored his sides second goal in a convincing three nil win.

Andy King (Leicester - midfielder) Secured a point for the Foxes as the clock wound down against Swindon last Saturday. King has been a vital member of the Leicester drive for promotion under manager Nigel Pearson, and struck with five minutes remaining to notch his 11th goal of the season.

Aaron Morris (Cardiff City - defender) Was on trial with Bournemouth this week. The young defender played in the back four as the Cherries drew 2-2 with Swansea City.

Liam Newman (Burnley - striker) Scored one as the Clarets beat Bury in the Lancashire youth cup this week. The game finished 3-1 to Burnley with the Wales U17 international grabbing his sides first.

Elliot Parish (Aston Villa - goalkeeper) Produced some classy saves to keep a youthful Arsenal reserve XI at bay on Monday night. The former Wales U16 training squad member kept a clean sheet as the game finished 0-0.

Joe Partington (Bournemouth - defender/midfielder) Found himself starting in an unfamiliar position against Acrrington Stanley last Saturday. The Wales U19 international was asked to slot in as a central defender, a position he had only played twice before in his career. And it was to be a good afternoon for the Portsmouth born youngster as the game finished 1-0 to the Cherries.

David Stephens (Norwich - defender) Played 90 minutes as the reserves played Barnet this week. The Wales U19 international started in the back four as the Canaries drew 1-1 at Carrow Road.

Rhys Taylor (Chelsea - goalkeeper) Got his first chance to impress a watching Guus Hiddink on Monday night as he started for the reserves against Portsmouth. The game turned into a complete rout as the Blues thrashed Pompey 6-0 with Taylor hardly threatened.

Sanchez Watt (Arsenal - striker) Bagged the Gunners first goal as the U18 derby game with Charlton seesawed back and forth last week. The game eventually finished 2-2 as Arsenal failed to hold on to a 2-1 lead.

James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) Returned from injury and got 90 minutes under his belt as the reserves lost 1-0 to Swindon this week. Wilson has been suffering with a knee injury over the past month or so, and will be keen to get back to the first team squad and help the push for promotion.

Young guns news - Sunday 15-Feb-09

David Cornell (Swansea - goalkeeper) Will be on the bench this weekend and is being tipped to push for a starting spot down at the Liberty. With Dimitrios Konstantopoulos joining rivals Cardiff City, the Wales U17 goalkeeper has been promoted to the bench. He also played his first game for a year this week as the Swansea reserves beat Exeter City 1-0.

Lloyd James (Southampton - defender/midfielder) Will play out a long term ambition this weekend as the Bristol born youngster steps out at Ashton Gate to take on City. The Wales U21 international has recovered from a slight hamstring strain and will start at right back as the Saints desperately strive for points in the Championship. "As a 15 year old I went every week when they were in League One." Lloyd James.

Jonathan North (Watford - goalkeeper) Made some great saves in the heavy rain as the Hornets took on Ipswich in the FA Youth Cup. Although Watford kept a clean sheet it wasn't enough to win the game as the match was abandoned to the weather.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Scored his sides first of two as the Dragons beat Lewes last Saturday. Williams bagged the first with a firm header as Wrexham moved into the play off spots. It was a double celebration for the striker, as he signed a contract until 2010.

Young guns news - Sunday 8-Feb-09

Josh Dawkin (Norwich - midfielder) + David Stephens (Norwich - defender) Both started as the Canaries flew into the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a win against Everton on Thursday night. Dawkin was a constant menace to the Everton defenders, and could well have scored but his powerful effort struck the bar. Norwich eventually advanced with a win on penalties.

Sam Hart (Preston - defender) Played his part as the Preston U18 team took on Rochdale at home last weekend. Hart played in the back four as the Lilly whites thrashed their visitors 5-0.

Aaron Holloway (Bristol City - midfielder) Missed a one on one opportunity as the City U18 team lost 1-0 away at Reading over the weekend. Holloway is a player who is highly rated at his age level, and is certainly one to keep an eye on over the next couple of seasons.

Andy King (Leicester - midfielder) Was back amongst the goals as the Foxes ran amok against Walsall at the Bescot Stadium on Tuesday night. King grabbed his sides second goal and his 10th of the season as game finished 4-1. If you fancy having a look at King yourself, Leicester play Oldham in front of the SKY cameras on Saturday 5.20pm.

Lee McCardle (Everton - defender) Has returned from injury, with a goal against Norwich in the FA Youth Cup tie on Thursday evening. A well taken free kick from 20 yards out after 102 minutes was enough to beat the Canaries keeper, but not enough to win the game as the Toffees lost on penalties.

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Started for the Saints at St Mary's against Sheffield Utd on Tuesday night. The Barry born striker played 67 minutes but it was the same old story for the home side as they lost 2-1.

James Owen (Chester City - midfielder) Was a surprise inclusion on the Chester City bench on Tuesday night. The Wales U17 international was an unused sub as City lost 2-0 to Rochdale and have now only managed to get two points from a possible twenty one in League Two.

Tomos Roberts (Aston Villa - defender) Started as the Villa youth team travelled to Watford for a league game. The Villains ran out 3-1 winners as Jonathan North (Watford - goalkeeper) did his best to keep the score down.
Alex Titchiner (Crewe - striker) Was once again on the score sheet for the Railwaymen in the Premier youth league. The North Walian struck his sides first goal in a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City.

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace/Bournemouth - defender) Has signed an extension to stay at Bournemouth until the end of the season. This will give the Wales U21 international some valuable game time as he comes into the last year of his contract with Crystal Palace. It remains to be seen, but it looks as if his stay at Selhurst Park maybe at an end.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Came off the bench to change the game as Wrexham beat Workington 3-1 in the FA Trophy. The Wales U21 international was introduced and quickly won a penalty and produced two clinical finishes that took his goal tally to 16 for the season, as the game finished 3-1 to the Dragons.

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough/Burnley - defender) Made his debut for the Clarets on Saturday as manager Owen Coyle threw the Wales U21 international straight into action against Charlton at Turf Moor. Williams played 90 minutes at right back as Burnley beat the Addicks 2-1, with the Perth born youngster admitting afterwards that it had been a tough but enjoyable experience. "I thought I did ok. It was my first full game for four months and I was tried towards the end and it was good to get 90 minutes under my belt, but I think there's a lot more to come." Rhys Williams.

Young guns news - Sunday 1-Feb-09

Nicky Adams (Leicester/Rochdale - midfielder) Scored on his debut for Rochdale against Dagenham and Redbridge last Saturday. The Wales U21 midfielder tapped in from close range to register the games first goal in a 3-2 defeat.

Troy Brown (Fulham - defender) Made a late appearance off the bench for the Cottagers as they beat WBA 2-0 on Wednesday night. The Wales U19 was introduced with less than ten minutes left on the clock as the second string stretched their unbeaten record to five games. The Baggies team sheet had Kayledene Brown (WBA - striker) and Josh Knight (WBA - midfielder) on from the start.

Nathan Craig (Everton - midfielder) Scored one of his sides goals in the second half against Man Utd youth last weekend. The North Walian struck as the game finished 3-2 to the Red Red Devils.

Keiron Freeman (Nottingham Forest - defender) Played 90 minutes in the back four as Forest Youth beat Barnsley 3-0 last Saturday. The win was the sides first away win in the league this season.

Shaun McDonald (Swansea/Yeovil - midfielder) Signalled his arrival on loan at Yeovil with the winner in midweek against Huddersfield. The Wales U21 winger hammered the only goal of the game in from 10 yards on 45 minutes.

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Registered his first senior goal after coming off the bench against Norwich in midweek. After stepping off the bench in the 29th minute, the Wales U19 international struck a low shot that crept underneath David Marshall just before the hour. Unfortunately this was not enough to claim all three points as the game finished 2-2. In the same game Lloyd James (Southampton - defender/midfielder) picked up an assist with a superb cross for the equalising goal. The Bristol born midfielder come full back is slowly getting to grips with his role at right back.

"I feel comfortable in that position now. I had a little break when I got suspended and was then dropped for a bit and that made me realise that I needed to step up my game again and I think I've done a bit better in recent weeks." Lloyd James

Liam Newman (Burnley - striker) Picked up an assist last weekend as the youth team beat Rochdale 3-2 last Saturday. Newman played 90 minutes and set up his sides second goal as the Clarets maintained their unbeaten run in the Puma Youth Alliance League.

Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City - defender) Is nearing the end of his long recovery from injury. He is now back running strongly and is working hard to get back his explosive pace. Recent visit to the consultant specialist confirmed he is well ahead of the expected schedule, and is looking in remarkable shape. The Wales U21 international is looking to have a second visit to Lillieshaw during end of Jan, where he expects to be put through another tough but beneficial workout. "Its been a tough period for me, but I have managed to keep positive and focused and can now look forward to getting back into full training in the not too distant future"

Sanchez Watt (Arsenal - striker) Bagged his sides first goal in a remarkable youth team encounter with Southampton last Saturday morning. Watt scored his sides first of five goals as the game ended 5-3 to the Gunners, with all eight goals being coming in the second half.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Scored his fourteenth of the season as the Dragons had a see saw encounter against Northwich in midweek. Williams' goal was one of six as the game finished 3-3.

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough - defender) Has signed a new three year contract at Middlesbrough and will now spend the next month on loan at Burnley.