Anglesey League: Each team’s unsung heroes so far

PICTURE by Wynne Evans shows Cefni’s Henry Caldecott on the ball.

AT THIS point in the season, it’s fair to that we are all quite aware of who each of the Anglesey League teams standout performers are.

But what about those one who don’t always get the credit they deserve? Well, here I give you the lowdown on the ones who sometimes get overlooked but consistently make things tick for their sides. Enjoy!

ARRIVA BANGOR

Bych
PIC: Wynne Evans.

Scott Hughes may be the key player in Kevin Jones’ side but without the likes of strike partner Matty Jones playing around him, it wouldn’t be made to look so effortless for him.

Jones’ creativity is key within Arriva’s starting eleven and you can see the difference within the team when he does/doesn’t play. His vision and ability to set is team mates up is vital.

Midfielder Jay Williams always keeps things tight in midfield and fellow middle man Marc “Bych” Williams (above) has also been a standout, notching 10 goals and defender Matthew Williams is another who always gives 110%. Versatile player Kieron Davies has performed well mostly in defence and attacker Danny Camilleri is starting to settle into the league well too.

Liam Jones (3) and Luke Lloyd (5) have also been in among the goals for Arriva, who currently sit in second place in the table with games in hand.

BODORGAN

Winter

Luke Allaway is the one who usually grabs the headlines for Bod, but his team mates are pivotal in boosting his goal tally.

Winger Luke Winter (above in blue) always looks dangerous on the break and has popped up with seven goals of his own from out wide, often cutting in on his favoured left foot. He’s been the main creative spark in the team too, providing many assists.

Recent signing Matt Lawson has been a more than welcome addition to Dave Webster’s side too. The Scottish centre back’s arrival at Cae Cob has seen them strengthen significantly at the back and he’s added quality to that starting eleven with his useful attributes. Former Bryngwran Bulls man Nathan Evans has also tightened things up at the back for Bod.

Former Llangefni youth player Aron Edwards has been a very good signing in midfield and Sam Hallas has continued to put in the graft for his side, just as he did last season.

Danny Connolly, who recently left the club for Welsh Alliance Two side Pentraeth was in fine form before he left, bagging six goals and was always a threat on the counter-attack.

BRYNGWRAN BULLS

PIC: Wynne Evans.

Unsurprisingly, it’s Bryngwran’s attack that has been getting all the plaudits this season with Craig Moore running the show in that department. However, there are other areas of the field where players have stood out too.

Konner Druce (above) has stepped in as their number one goalkeeper and has been phenomenal at times. His reactions in one on one situations and his reflexes have put him up there as one of the best keepers in the division.

As always, John Jones has been solid at the back for the club and summer signing Tom Verburg has added to that. The versatile Anton Williams, who has played both at centre back and as a striker (due to his height), has adapted well to both roles. He’s been great in the air defensively and has notched nine goals when attacking.

Matt Reynolds has been a key player in midfield. His creativity and eye for goal have certainly strengthened Richard Owen’s side since he moved from Aberffraw to Cae Ysgol in the summer. Long-serving midfielder Iolo Jones, appointed captain in the summer, remains one of the club’s most respected and talented players and winger Matty Roberts has continued his fine form from last season into this one.

Youngster Ioan Thomas has been a surprise breakthrough star at the club and has been in fine form of late, bagging seven goals so far this season. Attacker Jerome Sillence has also been a key player since switching from Llanerchymedd in the summer. He’s bagged nine goals and has laid several chances on for his team-mates too.

CAERGYBI

Image may contain: 2 people, people playing sport, grass, child and outdoor
PIC: Wynne Evans.

Again, with the obvious candidate of James Ryan aside here, Cybi manager Dale Moffat has assembled a very strong side together for this season.

Having changed position for the most part of this season, Liam Williams (above in stripes) has been a revelation at the back for Caergybi. Last season, he played in an attacking midfield role and bagged over 60 assists to his name. This time around, he’s been a centre back who has led the back line well for Cybi.

Brother Casey Williams has been another solid player at the back and new signings Marcus Bell and Rikki Jones have both improved that defensive line too and just as last season, Colm Foley has been pivotal in their defensive displays.

Goalkeeper Kieran Weeks has established himself as one of, if not the, best goalkeeper in the division. Great reflexes, penalty saves, you name it and he’s done it this season.

As always, despite stern competition in the midfield this season, Luke McKittrick has proved his worth and kept his place in the squad. He’s a real grafter in the middle of the park and always puts his body on the line.

But perhaps the ones who tend to slip under radar the most are the midfield pairing of Dave Webb and Dewi Thomas. With several Man of the Match performances and over 15 goals between them this season, they’re certainly contributing towards Cybi’s title hopes.

CEFNI

Squeeze3
PIC: Wynne Evans.

It’s fair to say that league newcomers Cefni have surprised us all with their performances this season. No surprise then that their squad is full of players who deserve more recognition.

Left back Gary Winnard has been a consistently great player who loves to get forward and score a goal or two. Centre back Grahame “Squeeze” Jones (above) has been solid at the back too and has looked unbeatable at times. His “never say die” attitude has helped them win games.

Fellow defender Henry Caldecott, who featured in AFE’s Team of the Season last year (for Bryngwran Bulls) has undoubtedly strengthened them at the back too. He is a consistently solid performer.

In midfield, Ben Wright has made things tick with his willingness to drive his side forward and grab a goal and recent signing Dylan Jones looks like he could be a very good addition to the side too. Lee Lewis has also been a real grafter in the side and has popped up with three goals.

Leading the way in terms of goals for Peter Twigg’s side are Nathan Lewis (on 10 goals) and the recently-departed Paul Jones (8 goals).

CEMAES BAY

Image may contain: 6 people, including Konner Druce, people playing sport, outdoor and nature
PIC: Wynne Evans.

Ryan Rowlands has been the surprise star of the season for Cemaes, notching 20 goals to date, but others within Darren Hughes’ squad have certainly pulled their weight too.

Dafydd Jones, who has played both as a midfielder and a defender, has led the side well when they needed that extra motivation to get some points on the board. The team is full of players who aren’t afraid to get stuck in – from midfielder Jordan Jones to defender Gavin Edwards, they’re always up for a battle.

Striker Liam Rodriguez (above) has popped up with six goals and has created chances for team mates too. Chris Hughes (2), Tam Morton (2) and Owain Griffiths (4) have been in amongst the goals for the club too.

Despite having to completely rebuild the side in the summer, after disbanding last season whilst a Welsh Alliance Two side, Cemaes seem to be on the up again and a couple of seasons in this league will certainly do them no harm in terms of finding the right players to get the right results.

HOTSPUR RESERVES

Hotspurres

The mixture of youth and experience within Hotspur’s second string seems to be paying dividends. Vastly-experienced Player-manager Mike Kelly is the club’s top scorer (13 goals) and fellow veteran Tom Scott has joined him in the team, but the Reserves have a host of top talent in their ranks.

Ben Hamilton, Kris DunneDeian Parry and Martin McClymont have all hit four goals each and former Bryngwran Bulls man Owain Roberts has been a standout too. 18-year-old attacker Casey Gregg was tipped to be one of their star players in pre-season and he certainly hasn’t disappointed – notching up four goals and plenty of assists so far.

Despite this being their debut season in the Anglesey League, the club will no doubt be looking to finish in the top four places in the table this year and I think they have the players to pick up the results and do just that.

LLANDEGFAN

Def

They may have had a difficult time of it once again this season, but Llandeg have some great players within their side who just never give up.

Centre back Alex Clarke has played nearly every game for the club this season and has come a long way since joining the club over a year ago. He looks solid at the back and is great in the air too – just as last year’s Llangoed Reserves Player of the Season Cameron Slater has been when available.

Midfielder Geraint Roberts never stops running for his side, whether that be from out wide or in the middle of the park. Fellow middle-man Paul MacGugan has added some solidity to the starting eleven and is always calm on the ball too. Former Llangoed players Danny Roberts, Duane Hunt and Phil Owen always give 110% in midfield too.

Goalkeeper Daniel Kendrick has established himself as the club’s number one and looks like a great shot-stopper. Kieran Fritter has certainly made a difference within the side too, adding some much-needed experience since moving from Arriva Bangor in October.

After Kurt Harris returned to former club Caergybi, it’s David Parry (above) who is leading the way in terms of goals. The 28-year-old, who signed from Llanllyfni in the summer, has hit five goals this season.

LLANFAIRPWLL

GreggParry
PIC: Wynne Evans

A drop down from Welsh Alliance Two in the summer saw Llanfair take awhile to adjust to the Anglesey League life. However, it looks as though they’re beginning to do just that now with a number of new faces coming in in recent weeks.

Shaun Morris has been their standout star in terms of goals, notching eight to date, however, Gregg Parry has also been a constant threat for the club when they’re going forward.

Young winger Jac Davies presents danger too due to his speed and strength out wide and Sion Emlyn Davies, who recently returned to the club from Bryngwran Bulls, is already making a difference within the side.

The likes of Terry Wax, Matty Barley and Jamie Roberts should also prove to be vital as the season goes on and the club looks to start rebuilding and get back to where it belongs.

PENTRAETH RESERVES

DylanJ1
PIC: Wynne Evans.

There are quite a few players that I could name here. Kenny Williams and the now departed Gwynfor Owen lead the way in terms of goals, but this Reserves side is full of grafters.

Midfielder Ryan Hughes is a player who always gives his all to the cause, as are Jack Halton and Tom Jones. Centre Back Matt Williams has been ever-present throughout the season and has bagged four goals along the way.

Youngster Dylan Jones (above) is a player who’s creativity can really make the difference at times. The central midfielder has ten assists to his name this season and an impressive eight Man of the Match awards too.

Goalkeeper Lee Williams has established himself as the club’s number one and has made some fine saves and put in some great performances to help the club earn some vital points this season.

VALLEY

Paulbag
PIC: Wynne Evans.

Tall forward Mike Williams is once again Valley’s main man in terms of goals – grabbing 12 to date.

However, Paul Williams’ (above) efforts in midfield have been exceptional and he’s popped up with nine goals of his own. He’s a quality player who has the vision to set up his team mates as well as create chances for himself. Andrew Bailey, who won two cups as captain of Bryngwran last season, has been an experienced head within the side and has racked up six goals so far.

In defence, Ashley Hughes has been a rock once more and full back Dion Evans has looked lively when going forward with the ball.

Club legend Marc Wilson has had a quieter season than usual but you can’t fault his commitment to the cause and his performances continue to be vital to Valley’s progression as a side.

Earlier on in the season, Shane Boylan seemed to be the one to watch for Valley. The striker bagged five goals before moving to New Zealand in early September. I’m sure they will have been left wondering what could have been had he stayed!

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Look out for my Team of the Half-Season article dropping soon on AFEFootballNews. How many players from your club made it in? Find out soon!

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