Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones

Young guns news - Friday 26th August 2005.

Nicky Adams (Bury - attacking midfielder/forward) - Scored a screamer for the reserves but his goal was not enough to earn his side any points as they slipped to a 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury. The Welsh qualified youngster will be another player who will look to get to the fringes of the first team squad this season.

Byron Anthony (Cardiff - defender) + Joe Ledley (Cardiff - midfielder) + Jon Kift (Cardiff - midfielder) - All got on the score sheet as the City reserves romped to a 4-1 win over Luton to take the Pontins Holiday Combination League title for the 2004/05 season. It will have cheered John Toshack and Brian Flynn up to see Ledley get another 90 minutes under his belt, with the Wales U21 midfielder scoring twice in the comfortable win.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) + Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) - Enjoyed a winning start to the U18 League with a 5-3 win against WBA. James in particular was impressive, the central midfielder winning the ball and using it well time and time again. Both are on the Wales U21 standby list for the international against England on the 2nd of September.

Lee Beevers (Lincoln - defender) - Was amongst the goals as Lincoln thumped Crewe in one of the shocks of this weeks Carling Cup. The Wales U21 captain advanced forward from left back to the edge of the area and curled in a peach to beat the goalkeeper with only six minutes gone in the encounter which they went on to win 5-1.

Jason Brown (Gillingham - goalkeeper) - Has claimed the first team jersey once again at Gillingham after regaining fitness after another setback with injury at the end of last season. The former Wales U21 international has been in fine form this season, and must wonder how he has been over looked for John Toshacks' senior squad with the options so limited to the manager.

Ramon Calliste (Unattached - striker) - Played 80 minutes on trial for the Liverpool reserve team against Newcastle on Monday night. The former Manchester Utd academy member scored with a nice right foot finish as the Reds drew 2-2 with the visiting Magpies. The Wales U21 striker will now hope that he has done enough to warrant at least another game for the European Champions if not a year a Mellwood.

Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Was another Welsh youngster returning to the starting XI this weekend and his early goal gave Brian Talbot's' team a head start against Lincoln, but they could not hang on. Davies headed home after a good cross from his team mate, and although disappointed with the lack of points, he will be glad to get his first 90 minutes of the season under his belt.

David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Celebrated his return to the starting XI with a goal from 12 yards out as the Shrews drew 1-1 with highly fancied Northampton. The central midfielder has been playing down the right for the first team and gave his side an attacking edge on Saturday, he was also voted Man of the Match.

Adam Gross (Barnet - defender) - Is finding his feet at League Two level after being released by Charlton at the end of last season. The former Wales U19 full back has started the last two games as Barnet with the defence keeping clean sheets on both occasions. He will now hope that regular football will get him noticed by U21 manager Brian Flynn.

Lewis Guy (Doncaster - striker) - Proved a pain for Kenny Jackett, as the former Wales U16 striker came off the bench to score his sides late winner at The New Stadium. The striker beat the offside trap and slotted home in the 85th minute to give his side all three points.

Chris Jones (Unattached - striker) - Played in a trial game for Cambridge Utd against Birmingham last Thursday as he strived to find a new club for this season. The former Leeds Utd trainee got a full 90 minutes under his belt although things didn't quite go to plan as the reserve side lost 6-0 to the Blues. Despite the heavy loss, Chris has been invited to take part in a reserve team game next week against Sudbury.

David Jones (Preston North End - midfielder) - Started his first game of the season in a tough encounter against highly fancied Sheffield Utd. The Welsh qualified youngster who is on a season long loan at Deepdale will now hope to get a long run as Preston look to emulate last seasons play off position. Wales will also hope that he soon makes his mind up with regards to where his future lies at international level. With Savage still very much on the outside and Carl Fletcher and Gavin Williams not even in the first team squad at the moment, John Toshack could do with some extra options.

Liam Maloney (Preston - midfielder) - Started for a very youthful looking reserve XI on Wednesday night against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. The former Wales U17 international missed out with the U19's this season got his first start for the reserves this season and will now hope to build on this, despite his sides 3-1 loss, so he can once again force himself into the Welsh youth set up.

Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) - Added the call up to the Wales U21 squad and signing a professional contract at Pride Park by being selected for the Derby's starting line up against Grimsby in the Carling Cup. It was not to be the winning start he would have liked as a very young Rams side lost 1-0 to to Mariners. Two people who will be glad to see Nyatanga starting will be Brian Flynn and John Toshack as they look to the U21's for players to make the step up to the seniors. "Lewin has had a fantastic couple of weeks. He captained the Welsh Under-21s at 16, signed his first professional contract a few days later and has now made his debut in the Carling Cup. His family will be very proud of him and I think he has a great career ahead of him as long as we can control the pace of it and not have to throw him in unnecessarily." - Derby manager - Phil Brown.

Lewis Price (Ipswich - goalkeeper) - Gave John Toshack a welcome gift before the Wales v England encounter by playing the full 90 minutes against Yeovil in the Carling Cup. Although the Wales U21 goalkeeper will not be too happy with the result as his team crashed 2-0 with Kevin Gall (Yeovil - striker) amongst the goals.