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


 Welsh Football Young news - by Owain Jones
  

We need as much feedback as possible on any Young Guns -
  click here to send us information. For this feature we need your help every week.
 

Young guns news - Friday 29th April 2005.

Adam Birchall (Arsenal - striker) - Has asked to be released from Arsenal as he feels that he needs the opportunity to play first team football on a regular basis. The Gunners have agreed and have sent out a fax to all clubs. He has a certain amount of interest and is due to visit a few clubs in the near future. His injury is clear now and he is very fit and raring to go. Just has to play a waiting game which is a little frustrating. The young Gunner has been offered support and guidance by youth supremo Brian Flynn and will now look to find a club soon so he can get ready for a very important pre-season in his career.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) - Is set to miss out at the weekend after taking a blow on the knee against MK Dons at the weekend.  The Wales U21 striker is desperate to play but may have to sit it out after missing training this week.

Kyle Critchell (Southampton - midfielder) - Got a brief substitute appearance for the reserves on Monday night as they romped to a 3-1 win against a Derby reserve team.  Although an appearance for the reserves won't quite go the whole way to making up for the disappointment of losing in the FA youth Cup Final to Ipswich.

Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Finished from five yards to give his side a good start in the game against Southend on Saturday.  Davies was on hand in the 20th minute to give the U's a glorious start in a game they would not go on to lose, and they also gave the Swans a helping hand by pegging back the second placed team in the league.

David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Struck on the hour as Shrewsbury gained a vital win against Notts County to clinch all three points at the weekend.  Edwards capped off his fine display by making the League Division Two team of the week.

Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) - Is back at the club after going out on loan to Conference club Forest Green Rovers.  The Welsh qualified hit man is now champing at the bit after enjoying his time away from the Memorial Stadium and hopes that his time away has made him a better player.

Alex Lawless (Fulham - defender) - Got an assist to his name with a good move and a fine cross which was turned in by team mate Lee Hall as the Cottagers claimed a point against Chelsea on Monday night.  Lawless has been a regular for the reserves over the past six months and will now look to see if he has a long term future at the club.

Gareth Owen (Oldham - defender) - Will stay on at Boundary Park after Stoke agreed to allow the former Wales U20 international to stay until the end of the season.  It seems that Owen has impressed all at OIdham and both clubs are trying to sort out a permanent position for him at the club.

Scott Thyer (Unattached - striker) - Scored after coming off the bench for WBA's reserve team in a 3-1 loss to Middlesborough.  Thyer has previously been with home town club Swansea having a trial, but took his goal very coolly after being put through by Welsh international Jason Koumas.

Rhys Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) - Again started in the back four as Palace reserves took on West Ham this week.  The Wales U19 standby player who missed out on making the full squad played the full 90 minutes as the Eagles drew 1-1 with the Hammers.
Young guns news - Friday 22nd April 2005.

Omar Abdilahi (Blackburn - striker) - Has left the club and joined League of Wales club Carmarthen Town. 

Simon Church (Reading - striker) - Was one of six new scholars introduced to the Madjeski crowd before the home game against Forest.  The youth team striker who qualified for Wales through a Welsh grandparent, will now join the academy full time and team up with second year scholar Ryan Crockford (midfielder) who has been retained by the club for a further third year. 

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) - Celebrated getting back into the Bristol starting XI with a call up to the Wales U19 training camp next month.  The Wales U21 international was also to the fore as City put a huge spanner in Wrexham's bid for survival on Saturday, with Cotterill marking his return with a polished performance.  The striker will be joined in the squad by fellow youth team member Griff Jones (defender) who has been mentioned quite a few times here on the Young Guns news page. 

Adam Davies (Cambridge - defender) - Scored the deciding goal of the game as Cambridge youth beat Exeter 1-0 to secure the Merit League Championship.  The defender who will have a double celebration this week after being called into next months Wales U19 training squad slid the ball into the net to secure the league trophy. 

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) - Made the starting XI this week as the very talented Southampton youth team took on Ipswich over two legs in the FA Youth cup Final.  The side who were obviously missing the influence of Kyle Critchell (Southampton - midfielder) after his ankle injury in the semi finals still, although they are still in the hunt with the tie going into the last leg at stale mate 2-2.  If the Saints win, it will be double celebration for James after his call up to the Wales U19 training squad. 

Chris Jones (Leeds - striker) - Will be released from Elland Road at the end of the season and will now go on trial at Bournemouth as he looks to find another club. The former Wales U19 international will now hopefully make a solid impression at Dean Court. 

David Jones (Man Utd - midfielder) - Sent out another chilling reminder of what talent he possess with a goal and an assist as the Utd reserves won the Pontins reserve league with three points against Wolves in midweek.  His goal  was scored from a tight angle after the goalkeeper had parried his initial shot and his perfect pass was the catalyst for David Bellions first goal.  With Wales so desperate for fresh talent to bolster John Toshacks senior squad, Jones would be an ideal candidate to lead the next campaign.

Greg Lewis (Cheltenham - midfielder) - Has gone on loan to Cinderford Town as he looks to gain valuable match experience in the Southern League.  The former Wales U19 standby player has been a regular in the reserve team squad this season and will look to get some game time at a lower level before returning to The Robins. 

Daniel Murphy (QPR - defender) - Set off with the senior squad to Burnley this week, in a season where he was told that he would not be staying on at Loftus Road at the end of the season.  The Hendon born former Wales U16 squad member travelled with Ian Holloways first team but did not make the squad for the game itself.

Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) - Nearly clinched all three points for his side with a header after coming on as a second half substitute for the reserves against West Hamin midweek.  The Wales U21 international joined Wales U19 international Dan Martin (defender) in defence as his side drew 0-0 with the Hammers.

Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) - Started in the back four as a youthful Bolton reserve team took on Sunderland this week.  The game finished in a 1-1 draw as the Trotters came from behind to clinch a point.

Dan Tolley (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Hit an excellent free kick as the Shrewsbury Youth team beat Boston 2-1 at the weekend.  The Welsh qualified midfielder is very good from free kicks and set pieces and hit a superb curling free kick to help his side on it's way to gaining three points.   

Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) - Is another regular member of this news page that will be delighted with a call up to the U19 training camp at Swansea at the beginning of May.  He has been on the fringes of Yeovil senior side this season, and will now hopefully be spurred on by finally making a Welsh youth team to get a good pre-season under his belt and challenging for a regular squad place next campaign.

Karl Yelland (QPR - defender) - Will start full time with QPR from next season on after making two reserve team appearances for the London club this season.  The 16 year old school boy, who played at right back for the second string, will now look forward to next season with relish.
Young guns news - Friday 15th April 2005.

Byron Anthony (Cardiff - defender) + Daniel Parslow (Cardiff - defender) - Both got on the score sheet as the Bluebirds second string spanked Plymouth 7-0.  It was Parlsow on the score sheet first as he drove home from a corner after six minutes.  His fellow U19 international team mate Anthony got on the score sheet in the 38th as Plymouth once again failed to deal with a corner as the young defender swooped to score.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder) - Has been impressing the coaching staff and the fans with some superb performances in a very impressive Walsall reserve team.  The Wales U17 international was a starter for the second string this week as they looked to climb away from the relegation zone with a game against Bradford.  It was to be a good afternoon for the relegation threatened Saddlers as they cruised to a 3-1 win over the Bantams.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) - Regained his place at the weekend against Brentford after being away with the Welsh U21 squad for the past week.  He was also a starter in midweek as City drew 0-0 with Swindon Town.

Kyle Critchell (Southampton - defender) + Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) - Advanced to the final of the FA Youth Cup with a win on penalties against a Wolves side that contained Wales U21 international squad member Wayne Hennessey (Wolves - goalkeeper)  The game game ended up with a shoot out at Molineux, and it was the Saints who ended up victorious with a 5-4 penalties win.  Critchell will unfortunately miss the final as he was taken off with severe bruising around his ankle, but he was praised very highly by youth team coach Steve Wigley. "Since coming here I would say that he has probably improved more than any player in the Academy and his progress has been fantastic - culminating with an appearance for the Welsh U21 side not long ago." - Steve Wigley, Youth Team Coach.

Arron Davies (Yeovil - striker) - Got back on the score sheet to help Yeovil get their promotion campaign back on track.  The Cardiff born striker struck from the edge of the box to give his side a great start in a game they would go on to win by 5-2.

Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Scored a goal for the reserves but it was not enough to secure the points as his side were thumped by 5-1 by Luton.  The U's were 5-0 down by half time when Davies struck after turning his marker and beating the keeper.  The Wales U21 international striker will see a complete turn in fortunes after being shown the door earlier in his career by Man City and Rushden and Diamonds when he goes on tour with John Toshack's seniors to a training camp in San Sebastian in May.

Chris Jones (Leeds - striker) - Got another start for the reserves at the start of the week as his season comes nicely to a close with some fine performances.  It was not to be a second dream start for the former Wales U19 star as Leeds reserves crashed 3-1 to Birmingham.

Endaf Jones (Shrewsbury - striker) - Struck to give his side all three points as a weakened Wrexham reserve team crashed to Shrewsbury on a terrible pitch at Plaskynaston, the home of Newi Cefn Druids.  The game was settled when Jones beat the offside trap and ran on volley home with a great finish. 

Alex Lawless (Fulham - defender) - Capped a yo-yo performance with a well taken goal for the Fulham reserves against West Ham on Wednesday night.  The former Wales U19 international was at fault for the first goal when he lost his man after a free kick, but made amends with a one-two on the edge of the box and smashed the ball past Stephen Bywater.  The Cottagers went on to lose the game by 2-1.

Dan Martin (Derby - defender) - Hooked the ball into the net to give the Rams a great start in the reserve team game against Coventry on Tuesday night.  The Rams went on to win the game 2-1 with Martin, and Richard Davies (Derby - striker) in particular creating all kinds of havoc in the Sky Blues defence and also getting an assist to his name.  The pair were joined in the starting line up by Mitchell Booth (Derby - midfielder) who played the full 90 minutes.

Ashley Sestanovich (Chester - midfielder) - Has seen his contract terminated after persistent breaches of discipline left Chairman Stephen Vaughan with no other option but to release him.  The Welsh qualified midfielder will now spend the next few months looking for a new club.

Rhys Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) - Helped his side keep a clean sheet as the Palace reserves beat Leicester by a goal to nil on Tuesday night.  The Wales U17 international has been an ever present in the second string starting line up over the past few months and will now hope he can push on to play in the U19 tournament for his country later this year.

James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) - Had one of his best games of the season for the BCFC U16s as they maintained there unbeaten run in 2005 with a 2-2 draw away at Norwich.  He capped of a fine performance with a well taken goal he is now looking very comfortable at centre back after moving there from midfield at the start of the season.
Young guns news - Sunday 10th April 2005.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) + Ian Jones (Southampton) - Enjoyed success with the U18's on Saturday morning as the Saints beat Bristol City by 2-0.  Jones and Bale are the latest in a line of Welsh qualified players that have come through at Academy level at St Mary's, although none of their predecessors have made the first team grade.

Richard Davies (Derby - striker) - Was once again chosen to travel with the reserves as they took on Spurs on Wednesday night.  It was not to be a night of success though for the second string as they lost by 5-2 to the Londoners.  The Derby starting XI contained Dan Martin (defender) who played the full 90 minutes in the back four.

David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Scored a belter to set his side on the way to a 3-0 win over Oxford at the weekend.  Edwards who had replaced the injured Jamie Tolley, nicked the ball off an Oxford player and struck from 25 yards.

Luke Graham (Northampton - defender) - Has extended his loan spell at Kettering until the end of the season following four clean sheets in eight appearances whilst cementing a place for the Conference Club in the play offs. Hopefully after two successful loan spells and impressing calderwood in his first year as a pro to earn another deal, will further his claims for a longer stint at Sixfields.

Lewis Guy (Doncatser - striker) - Showed that he is slowly finding his feet after taking the brave move to drop a few divisions to boost his career.  The former Wales U16 international came off the bench to salvage a point for Doncaster as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Colchester. 

Wayne Hennessey (Wolves - goalkeeper) - Has been elevated to the professional ranks at Molineux following a fantastic season for the Anglesey born youngster. "Wayne has been delighted to commit his future to Wolves.  This contract has come at an interesting time for him just as he has made the Wales U21 bench at the age of 18." - Chris Evans, Academy manager.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) + Kyle Critchell (Southampton - defender) - Had the upper hand over Wales U17 team mate Wayne Hennessey (Wolves - gaolkeeper) during the first leg of the FA Youth Cup Semi Final on Wednesday night.  The game finished 1-0 to the Saints, although Critchell was forced off early with concussion after a clash of heads. 

Chris Jones (Leeds - midfielder) - Scored the winning goal for the reserves against Liverpool at the Racecourse in midweek.  The Wales U19 striker curled in a stunning strike from the edge of the box to stun the Reds as his side ran out 1-0 winners.  With no consistent reports on the Leeds U18's this season it has been hard to track Jones' progress, but with the winner against Liverpool in the bag, let's hope he can push on.

Daniel Nardiello (Man Utd - striker) - Showed that a change of manager has brought him a change in fortunes, as the Welsh qualified striker hit another goal to take his tally to three in three matches.  Unfortunately the goal came against Wrexham and the game finished in a 2-2 draw.  Nardiello will return to Old Trafford at the end of the season, and will surely feel that a move away might benefit him in the long run.

David Vaughan (Crewe - midfielder) - Pulled back a cracker for The Railwaymen on Tuesday night, but it was not to be enough to get even a point from a Derby side hell bent on making the play offs.  The Rhuddlan born midfielder hit a stunning 20 yard volley but it was not enough as the Rams ran out 2-1 winners.

Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) - Has returned to playing two weeks early from a broken finger and played in the 2-2 draw against Portsmouth U18's at the weekend and also completed 90 mins for Yeovil reserves v Weston Super-Mare in the semi-final of Somerset Cup which they won 3-1 at home.
Young guns news - Friday 1st April 2005.

Ramon Calliste (Man Utd - striker) - Is one of six players released from Old Trafford after the club decided that they will only have one reserve team and one youth side.  It will come as a major blow to the Cardiff born youngster who will now spend the summer looking for a new club.

Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) + Alex Lawless (Fulham - defender) - Started once again for the reserves against Derby on Tuesday night.  It was not to be another three points though, as the Welsh duo lost 3-2 to a more experienced Rams side.

Mitchell Booth (Derby - midfielder) + Richard Davies (Derby - striker) + Dan Martin (Derby - defender) - All started for the reserves on Tuesday as they beat a Fulham side containing Collins and Lawless.  Davies in particular was a major handful on his reserve team debut, the 16 year creating all kinds of mayhem in the 3-2 win.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) - Was called into the reserve team squad on Tuesday night, but was to be disappointed when the game against Chelsea was cancelled.  The youngster would have become the youngest ever Southampton reserve player had he made an appearance.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) - Got on the scoresheet at the weekend but his goal was not enough as the youth team lost to Bournemouth 3-2.  The Wales U17 and U19 international is another player who has been in fine form of late and will hope to make another appearance for the U19 team during the UEFA qualifying tournament.

James Frayne (Liverpool - striker) - Scored the winning goal as the Reds beat the Blues in the U18's derby.  The former Wales U17 training squad member beat the offside trap to beat the keeper with an exquisite finish to give his side a 2-1 victory.

Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) - Has gone on loan to Nationwide Conference side Forest Green Rovers.  The Rovers striker has made just one start for the Pirates this season and will move to The Lawn until Friday the 29th of April.

Gavin Hurren (Nottingham Forest - defender) - Will play for the Swindon reserves as he seeks to earn a contract after being told that he was surplus to requirements at the City Ground.  The former Wales U17 international played the full 90 minutes for Swindon as they lost 3-2 to Yeovil.

Endaf Jones (Shrewsbury - striker) - Put his team in the lead in the Youth Merit league tie against Bradford this week, but his goal was not enough as his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

Gareth Owen (Stoke - defender) - Spoke this week of his excitement at his second loan spell at Boundary Park.  The former Wales U20 international got a great reception on Saturday from the home fans and may now press on for a permanent stay with Oldham as his current loan deal is due to run out in April, although the club have an option to extend it until the end of the season. "It was a very successful spell there last season and hopefully I can have the same kind of success this season." - Gareth Owen

Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) - Was an integral part of the Bolton reserve side that ground out a 1-0 win against Blackburn after being forced to play with nine men after two red cards.  The Cardiff born defender has nailed down a regular start over the past few weeks and will be keen to finish the season on a high with a possible place in a Welsh youth squad.

Rhys Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) - Got another 90 minutes under his belt in reserve team football but it was not enough, as the Eagles lost 2-1 to a Watford second string who must have been going all out to impress the new manager.

Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) - Will be out for four weeks after breaking his finger in training.  The Neath born youngster has been in fine form after returning from a suspension and will now be frustrated at having to sit out a few weeks.
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