Friday 15 May 2015

Four potential WPL signings

With just one final Welsh Premier League game to play, the managerial and player merry-go-round is oiling up to get moving.
It is the time of year where players fancy another challenge, or a crack at Europe with a qualifying club.
Last year we saw a flock of players moving in bulk, like a pack of wolves from one South Wales club to another, and it remains to be seen if that happens again.
But as clubs announce departures and contract signings, I have been looking at four players from lower leagues who could make an impact in Wales' top division.

Darren Thomas - Caernarfon Town
Thomas has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career, and even got himself among the nominations for goal of the season in Wales this year.
The forward bagged 14 goals for the Canaries this campaign after he was released by Porthmadog in 2013.
He has had previous experience of the top flight with Llangefni Town, and judging by performances this season, he could be an asset for a WPL side.

John Owen - Caersws
The Pwllheli based midfielder come striker Owen joined the Bluebirds from Porthmadog in 2014, and once caught the eye as a youngster on Bangor City's books but left to join Port.
Has been prolific in Caersws' front line bagging 16 goals which could make him a possible target for WPL clubs, and maybe a move back to Bangor could be on the horizon, with their strikers struggling to find the net last season.

John Owen battling with Newtown's Gareth Partridge in this year's Welsh Cup

Jamie McDaid - Caernarfon Town
McDaid returned to the Canaries in August 2014 after a spell with Bangor where he notched just twice in 31 appearances.
He had a previous spell at The Oval, as well as at Holyhead Hotspur but on returning to Lee Dixon's side last summer, he grabbed 22 goals in a season which saw his side finish runners up.
He has again proven himself at Alliance level, and that impressive goal tally is sure to put him on the radar of WPL clubs.

Ross Frame - Llanfair United
43 goals in one season speaks for itself I think.
Frame, a former Guilsfield striker, has lit up the Spar Mid Wales league this season, as he led the way for Llanfair United to gain promotion to the Huws Gray Alliance.
The forward, who had a highly successful spell in USA playing for Carson Newman, has been on the radar of Newtown before, and could potentially be a great signing for them this summer.
People raise questions when players jump two leagues, but look at Tom Goodwin, Llanidloes to Newtown and this years Robins player of the season.
The Mid Wales marksman could potentially be a top signing for the Robins or Aberystwyth this summer.

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Biggest Mid Wales derby for years

This time of the season is usual a time for pointless fixtures and dead rubber clashes, but Saturday's highly anticipated Mid Wales Derby between Aberystwyth Town and Newtown is far from that.
Both sides will play out the Welsh Premier League Europa League Play-off Final for a spot in Europe and money spinning payday worth just shy of £150,000.

For Aber it will be a chance of almost redemption after their disastrous 9-0 defeat to Derry City in last year's opening round.
The seasiders, under the guidance of Ian Hughes seem to have flourished in the last few seasons, finishing in the top six last season, before throwing away a 2-0 lead to The New Saints in the Welsh Cup Final.
This season they repeated the top six feat, and until a few weeks before the season were one of the hot favourites to snatch second placed and an automatic plane ticket to Europe.


ABER'S MAIN THREAT CHRIS VENABLES

Hughes has built a solid attacking line with flair, pace, and more importantly goals. Chris Venables was propping up the European scoring charts alongside a certain Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the campaign and you can bet your bottom dollar he will be amongst the scorers if there are any at Park Avenue this weekend.
Mark Jones offers a different attacking option, and always has a goal in him, and with Craig Williams on one win, and Geoff Kellaway, described as 'The Aberystwyth Express' on the other flank, the four can trouble any defence.
Earlier in the season Chris Hughes said the seasiders have arguably the best front four in the division and if they are firing on Saturday, it would be hard to look past them taking the crown.

However, on the other hand you have the Robins, who have almost risen from the ashes in recent times, and who will be hungry for success themselves.
Having lost the Welsh Cup to TNS in front of a bumper Latham Park crowd two weeks ago, the players will be hurting, and certainly have the players to hurt Aber.
In Jason Oswell they have one of the leagues top marksman, who will be brimming with even more confidence after his inclusion in the WPL team of the year.
But all across the board, I could say the same for Newtown as I did for Aber, if they are firing, they will take it.
Luke Boundford, the Robins Mr Reliable fired them to the final on Saturday with a last second winner at Port Talbot, and for me, is the most underrated player in the league.
Stef Edwards laid on the cross for the goal, and along with Craig Williams they offer attacking intent from full back.


 IF MITCHELL AND OSWELL ARE FIT, YOU WOULD BACK THE ROBINS

Matt Hearsey on the other wing always poses a threat, and with the skill of Matty Owen down the middle, and with the asset offered to the Robins in the form of Neil Mitchell, they have as good a chance as there Mid Wales opponents.
Aber will be favourites for most people, but looking at Newtown's performances this season, when Mitchell plays in a central role, and plays well, the whole side plays well.
He seems to be the linchpin in that lineup, and I feel he could be a key for the Robins.
Oswell seems to be the only doubt for Newtown, which would be a huge miss for them, but centre half Shane Sutton returns from suspension which is a big boost.

Whoever plays, it will be some game I feel looking at the previous meetings. 6-3, 1-0, 3-2, and 3-3 this season. 21 goals in four games, so you can forget about a 0-0 with extra time and penalties.

It will be passports at the ready with for players, officials and supporters alike. Will Aber finish off an impressive season an impressive fashion or will the Robins be stretching their wings into the Europa League draw?