Football

Let’s do a progress check on our men’s Super 12

The outstanding Connor Owen on the ball for Gwalchmai. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

It is more than a month since we chose our Dynamic Dozen to watch for the 2022-23 season.

So now is a good time to check on how they are performing.

We’ve given the rundown on the women – now it’s the turn of the males.

Connor Owen (Gwalchmai)

For someone aged just 17, the consistency of this young talent is phenomenal.

The Gwalchmai prospect has hit 17 goals in just 14 games across all competitions this season. 

He has also found the net in six of his last seven matches.

Are we witnessing the next Corrig McGonigle, Asa Thomas or Marc Evans coming to the fore?

Named Tier 4 Player of the Season for 2021-22, Connor has already well surpassed last term’s haul of 12 goals for Craig Evans’ side.

Jack Hoult (Abergele)

Jack Hoult. Picture/graphic: ABERGELE FC

Has missed the last couple of games following his red card against Llandudno Amateurs on October 15, but Jack did score the two goals which won that game for Abergele!

Three appearances so far and three goals for the team he has represented with such distinction in the past.

With past experience of Welsh Premier and Cymru North football, someone of Jack’s class and ability can only benefit Abergele’s push for back-to-back North Wales Coast East Division One titles.

Rhys Edwards (Chirk AAA)

Rhys Edwards (red). Picture: BRIAN PRYDDEN – diolch yn fawr

Since joining Cymru North newcomers Chirk on loan from The New Saints early in the season, this 18-year-old attacking player has been a great success.

With 15 club appearances under his belt, Rhys has netted 10 goals, seven for the first team across league and cup.

He really knows where the goal is, and the Colliers will probably be hoping they can extend his loan deal when it ends in January.

Kaine Bentley (Trearddur Bay)

Kaine Bentley (centre) with managers Dan McGinness (left) and Nick Dumbarton

Proving a great addition to an already star-studded squad at Lon Isallt.

Kaine has notched five goals in seven outings for a Trearddur side he has helped reach the FAW Trophy last 32 and remain unbeaten in the North Wales Coast League West Division One.

At just 19, and playing alongside the likes of Asa Thomas, Marc Evans and Tom Scott, Kaine can come on in leaps and bounds under manager Nick Dumbarton.

Bret Durkan (Rhos United)

Bret Durkan of Rhos United

Just getting back on the field after four seasons out through injury is an achievement this season for goal-getter Bret.

An added bonus is the fact Rhos are performing quite well in North Wales Coast East Division One, with Bret having made nine appearances and scored twice.

With so many useful goal scorers in the United squad, the pressure on Bret to produce the goods might not be overly heavy, but he will still be aiming to boost his stats in the coming weeks.

Tom Bibby (Holywell Town)

Tom Bibby is happy at Holywell

An ever-present so far, Tom’s midfield displays have played a major part in Holywell overcoming a poor start to the season to now jointly lead the Cymru North after nine straight wins.

Tom made his mark while on loan with the Wellmen last season and they were delighted to tie him to a permanent deal this term.

Kian Owen (Bangor 1876)

Kian Owen

Left-back Kian has made a great start to life with 1876, clocking up 14 appearances to date in his team’s flying opening to the season.

The 20-year-old showed another side to his talents in the recent 2-1 win over Rhyl 1879 in a red-hot atmosphere at Belle Vue. Kian deputised in goal for more than an hour after Huw Shaw got injured and kept a clean sheet, producing one fine save and making a couple of catches under heavy pressure.

From his usual left-back position, Kian has shown plenty of ability in other matches to get forward and pose an attacking threat.

Liam Davies (FC Queen’s Park)

Queen’s Park take on Airbus in their biggest-ever match this season in the Welsh Cup

With 10 goals to his credit so far – nine of them in cups – Liam has been one of the stars in the Park’s fine start to the campaign.

He notched a hat-trick in a 3-2 Premier Cup win over New Brighton Villa and netted both goals in the Wrexham side’s fantastic 2-0 Welsh Cup triumph at tier 3 Rhos Aelwyd in August.

Davies was part of the team which lifted the Horace Wynne Cup last season and will surely continue to be a major threat up front in the current campaign.

Benn Lundstram (Bethesda Athletic)

Benn Lundstram (pink shirt) in Sunday League action for FC Mally

Since signing for Bethesda in August, Benn has bagged an impressive eight goals in seven appearances.

The 20-year-old’s best performances include a hat-trick in a 7-2 hammering of Llannerchymedd.

Benn is part of a talented young squad at Parc Meurig which could be on course for a big season. Athletic are top of the North Wales Coast West Premier Division they were only promoted to this season and have reached the FAW Trophy last 32.

Kane Roberts (Mynydd Llandegai)

Kane Roberts (blue) battles for the ball against Menai Bridge. Picture: ROBYN COOKE – diolch yn fawr

Scored four times in his first two appearances, but hasn’t managed a goal in six matches since.

Still an important player in a Llandegai outfit which recently changed managers, Pij Morris taking over from Huw Davies, but were struggling for wins before recently caning Pentraeth 9-0 at Penrhiw.

Guto Hughes (CPD Y Felinheli)

Fantastic action photo from PATRICK CAIN sees Guto make a penalty save for Y Felinheli – diolch yn fawr

Felinheli have been going through a tough spell, suffering four straight losses including a 7-0 reverse at Llay Welfare in the FAW Trophy on Saturday.

Before that, Euron Davies’ side had shown some fine form, with goalkeeper Guto Hughes an outstanding performer between the posts.

Guto has conceded 16 in his last four matches, but he is a much better keeper than that.

The 20-year-old will surely have many good days in the remainder of the season.

Kieran Ellis (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Currently out injured – reports suggest for some time to come.

This is a great shame as Kieran had netted eight times in 10 appearances this term, bringing his grand total for 1879 to 37 goals in 34 matches.

With others on the injured list and some suspensions likely coming up, Gareth Thomas’ side could certainly do with the return of their chief striker.

One hopes it won’t be too long before Kieran is back as he is a class act at tier 3 level.

davenwsport

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