Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.

Young guns news - Sunday 26th February 2006.

Omar Abdilahi (unattached - striker) Has joined struggling league one outfit MK Dons on trial as he tries to make it back into the football league after being released from Blackburn academy. The former Grange Quin and Carmarthen town player has had a trial with Cardiff City, and will now hope to impress enough to stay with the Milton Keynes side.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) Got an assist as the Southampton U18 team beat Millwall 4-2 at the weekend. The Wales U17 international crossed for his team mate to score his sides second goal.

Ryan Crockford (Reading - midfielder) Started for the reserves this week against a QPR team that included former Wales U17 international Karl Yelland (defender) The game finished in 1-1 with Crockford getting 78 minutes under his belt and Yelland being starting the game from the subs bench.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) Was once again at the hub of the action this week as the Baggies reserves went head to head with local rivals Birmingham in a mini derby. And to celebrate his first ever call up to the Wales U21 squad, the youngster fired a superb free kick to send his side in level at the interval in a game which they would go on to win 3-2. Davies was joined on the field in the second half by Wales U19 international Jamie Price (midfielder) who was a substitute for Birmingham.

Jamal Easter (Cardiff - striker) Bagged a brace against local rivals Swansea as the Cardiff second string easily disposed of them 4-1 this week. Easter scored his first with a cross come shot that the goalkeeper fumbled over the line, his second was a well taken penalty after being brought down in the box. Bluebirds manager Dave Jones has shown that he is not afraid to give youth a chance at Ninian Park, with Joe Jacobsen (defender) getting a chance to taste life with the seniors last weekend in the build up to the Hull City game.

Michael Chedwyn Evans (Man City - striker) Was the one celebrating on Thursday night after a cameo appearance from the bench saw the youngster set up his strike partner for the only goal of the game as the City U18 team marched through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a victory against Man Utd. The Welsh qualified youngster played a reverse pass into the box which set up Kelvin Etuhu for the winner. The Red Devils bench contained ex Shrewsbury youth team player Sean Evans (midfielder) who is allegedly being refused permission by Utd to speak to Brian Flynn. The City bench contained Wales U17 captain Scott Evans (midfielder) who was an unused substitute.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) Signed a contract extension which tied him to St Mary's until 2007 this week. The talented midfielder also started against Spurs in Tuesday nights reserve team win against Spurs, and with manager George Burley being another manager with limited resources, he will be keen to show what he has to offer as the seasons runs into his final stretch.

Mark Jones (Cardiff - striker) Got one of his sides goals as the Bluebirds ran a Birmingham U18 team ragged at the weekend. The Blues beat their Midland rivals 4-0 and Jones will now hope that he might jump from the standby to the travelling squad as Brian Flynn takes the U17's to Lugano for the friendly.

Liam Maloney (Preston - midfielder) Was once again named in the reserve team this week along with former Wales U21 international Brian Stock (midfielder) Both came through unscathed as the Lilly Whites ran out 4-1 winners.

Lewis Powell (Bristol Rovers - striker) Pounced quickly from a set piece to score one of his sides goals as the U18 team returned to winning way's with a 2-1 win over Cirencester at the weekend. His side were all level going into the last quarter when the striker struck to give his side all three points.

Tom Sparey (Shrewsbury - defender) Will not be offered a third year scholarship at Gay Meadow after being told he will be released at the end of this season. This is a cruel time for many youngsters, with academies deciding the fate of many at during the start of the new year.

Young guns news - Sunday 19th February 2006.

Nicky Adams (Bury - striker) Has been promoted from the standby list to the full U21 squad this week after injuries started taking it's toll. He is a name that has been quite regular here after breaking into the first team at Gigg Lane and we wish him all the best.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) Got twenty minutes under his belt as the Southampton reserves beat derby rivals Pompey 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Wales U17 international has leap frogged Lloyd James (midfielder) of late as the regular for the second string and will now look to build his confidence in preparation for the U17 friendly against Switzerland in Lugano on the 23rd of February.

Ramon Calliste (Liverpool - striker) Gave his side the cutting edge in the mini derby this week, with his goal being enough to secure the points versus Everton. The Wales U21 international latched on to a long ball from the goalkeeper to superbly tuck the ball away for the only goal of the game. He was brought on after 10 minutes after an injury to score his fifth goal of the season. "It's always competitive in a derby game and this was no exception. It was good for Ramon to score as he hadn't had much luck before the goal. He anticipated the chance and finished it well." Hugh McAuley reserve team coach.

Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) Suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury last week whilst playing for the reserves, but it is not thought that it will mean the end of the season for him. It is hoped he will return to action in the next two weeks.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker/midfielder) Blast his sides first goal as the Robins look to be back on track under former Latvia boss Gary Johnson. The full Wales international steered the ball home to score his fifth goal of the season after coming on as a first half replacement for Marcus Stewart.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) Has been tipped to have a career in the Premiership, but only if he continues to apply himself as he has been this season. The new Wales U21 cap has been on the fringes of the first team and made his debut during the FA Cup encounter with Reading and will now look to push on. "The three of them (Rob Davies, Jarred Hodgkiss and Stuart Nicholson) have a chance of a career at Premiership football club, but like any youngsters they've got to take their chances when it comes along. There are not many Premiership players who break through at 19, the average age is twenty and a half, so they've done well." Academy Director Dan Ashworth

Peter Ferris (Carlisle - striker) Is more or less back in full training with the YTS players after a nasty knee injury. He is just a couple of weeks off getting a full game.

Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn - midfielder) Made a return to action this week with a goal as the Blackburn U18 team beat WBA 3-0 on Saturday. The Welsh qualified youngster had previously broken his leg whilst playing with the Australian youth team at the beginning of September. It seems he may have slipped through the net at Wales youth team level at this moment in time. He was joined in the starting XI by Abdhi Ahmed (striker) who was on a high after a goal last weekend.

Dylan Hughes (Ssv Jahn Regensburg - striker) Will spend a week on trial with Swansea as he looks to make it in the senior game. After a call up to the U21 squad for the friendly against Northern Ireland the youngster will be raring to go by the time he reaches the Liberty Stadium.

Gerwyn Jones (Tranmere - defender) continued his recent goalscoring run with a finely taken goal whilst captaining North Wales Schoolboys v South Wales Schoolboys at Aberystwyth Towns ground
on Tuesday evening.

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) Got another 90 minutes under his belt and put in another solid performance for the reserves this week in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich. The Ipswich starting XI contained Wales senior keeper Lewis Price who made some impressive saves. News reaches us this week also that Wiggins and Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) have been short listed for the inagural Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy, with the winner recieving 5,000 thousand pounds towards the clubs youth development programme.

James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) Is being targeted by Everton if reports this week are to be believed. The Wales U17 international has been rumoured to be a summer target for the Toffee men, but they have been warned off by manager Gary Johnson. The Academy member was a second half sub during his sides 3-1 victory over Cinderford Town in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup this week. He was joined in the squad by fellow Wales U17 international Josh Klein-Davis (striker) who he replaced after 54 minutes and Sam Pearce (goalkeeper) who played the full 90 minutes and who has also been promoted to the U21 squad in place of Wayne Hennessey.

"James is a very good player. He plays in our academy team and he will continue to do so." - Gary Johnson.

Young guns news - Monday 13th February 2006.

Abdhi Ahmed (Blackburn - striker) Scored his first of the season as the Blackburn U18 team secured an impressive victory away at Liverpool last Saturday. The former Wales U17 international converted from the spot after 22 minutes to score his sides only goal of the game and to secure all three points.

Mitch Booth (Derby - midfielder) Latched on to a ball inside the box to drill home to secure his sides winner against Sheffield Utd Youth to stay at the top of FA Premier Academy League Group D. His sides second goal in a 3-2 win, was scored by his Wales U17 former team mate, Joe Arnold (striker) who volleyed home from six yards. Both were joined in the starting XI by Wales U19 international Stephen Cann (goalkeeper). Booth also played in midweek as the reserves drew 1-1 with Spurs in a behind closed doors friendly.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) Played in the back four this week as the WBA reserves tried to break their win less streak against Sunderland. The young pro played the full 90 minutes and got in a timely intervention for his side, clearing off the line to secure a point as the game finished 1-1. It was also interesting to note that Davies was the reserve team skipper.

Jamal Easter (Cardiff - striker) Scored one of his sides goals as the Bluebirds second string beat Bristol City 3-1 on Monday afternoon. The Wales U19 international slotted home after a good through ball by Phil Mulryne to score his sides first goal after 17 minutes. The Bristol City starting XI contained Wales U21 goalkeeper Sam Pearce (goalkeeper).

Sean Evans (Man Utd - midfielder) Is a Welsh qualified youngster through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup as Man Utd beat Charlton 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Welsh qualified youngster was up against former Wales U17 international Grant Basey (defender) as the Red Devils cruised through under the gaze of former Wales international Malcolm Allen and Wales U21 boss Brian Flynn.

Peter Ferris (Carlisle - striker) Is around three weeks away from getting involved in a competitive game after a nasty knee injury cut his season short. He has started light work with the YTS players and will now be waiting for the all clear to get stuck into a competitive game.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) Got the killer assist that bagged Southampton U18 all three points last Friday. The Wales U19 international threaded a ball through for David McGoldrick to score after 70 minutes to put the team on course for another FA Youth Cup Final. He was also victorious in midweek as the Saints crushed Crytal Palace 4-0 to move through to a second consecutive semi-final. Hed was joined in the team by Gareth Bale (defender) who struck the inside of the post with a shot. The Eagles team contained Rhoys Wiggins (defender) who tried his best to keep the score down with an amazing goal line clearance.

Gerwyn Jones (Tranmere - defender) Weighed in with his sides first goal as they over came Chester U15's 4-0 over the weekend. The team captain will have been [roud of his performance as the Wirral based team cruised to a comfortable win.

Liam Maloney (Preston - midfielder) Was full of running on Saturday as his clever wing play had the Burnley U19 team in all kinds of bother. The former Wales U17 international had the ball in the net early doors but it was ruled out for an off side. Although he didn't have to wait long for his second goal of the season as he knocked in to score his sides fourth goal.

Liam Norval (Leicester - defender) Played 72 minutes for the reserves this week as they beat Ipswich by a goal to nil. He might well have played the full 90 had there not been a floodlight failur after 72 minutes to bring a premature end to the encounter.

Ben Van Gucci (Rotherham - midfielder) Once again got another game for the reserves this week. The former Aberystwyth academy member played 60 minutes as the Millers drew 1-1 Huddersfield.

Young guns news - Tuesday 7th February 2006.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) Recovered from his slight knock to start for reserves on Monday night. The youngster played the full 90 minutes but could not prevent his side from losing 2-1.

Ramon Calliste (Liverpool - striker) Scored from the spot and was a constant menace in a second string that lost it's way this week as they slumped 4-1 to Middlesborough. The Wales U21 international almost got another but was denied by some excellent goalkeeping.

Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) Has done a u-turn and decided to sign for Italian club Verona after all. Subject to a medical, Davies will sign with the club for three years and become another Welsh striker to follow in the footsteps of John Charles and Ian Rush.

Stuart Fleetwood (Cardiff - striker) Has joined Hereford Utd on a free transfer after being released by Cardiff City. He has signed at Edgar St until the end of the season. He will then look to score enough goals in the conference to create a springboard back into the league pyramid.

Russell Fry (Hull - midfielder) Made the bench for the game against Coventry on Tuesday night as the Tigers tried to climb away from the relegation zone. The former Wales U16 international never made it off the bench as his side lost 2-1 to a Sky Blues side containing Richard Duffy (defender).

David Jones (Man Utd/NEC Nijmegen - midfielder) Scored another brace in Holland at the weekend as his side came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Willem II. After side footing home with his first, the talented midfield schemer scored from the spot with his second to snatch a point.

Shaun MacDonald Swansea - midfielder) Got some game time late on against Gillingham this week as the Swans tried to get out of the mini slump that they are in. The talented U21 international came off the bench with 20 minutes to go, but could not prevent his side for going down 2-1.

Michael Nardiello (Man Utd - striker) Scored one of his sides goals as the Liverpool U18 team beat Burnley 3-0 in the FA Youth Cup this week. Michael Nardiello is the brother of Welsh qualified striker Daniel Nardiello who is at Barnsley.

Michael Pearson (Oldham - defender) Put in an impressive performance for the reserves as they qualified through to the final of the Manchester Senior Cup with a 3-2 victory against Man City. The defender was joined in the second half by youth international Sean Eardley (defender) with younger brother Neil Eardley (defender) an unused sub.

Anthony Pulis (Stoke - midfielder) Has joined Doncaster Rovers on trial as he looks to leave the Britannia Stadium. The Wales U21 midfielder played for the reserves this week as they trounced Scarborough 4-2.

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palce - defender) Was in action for the Palace U18 team as they took on Watford in the FA Youth Cup. In a pulsating game, the Wales U21 international will look forward to a quarter final tie with the Eagles taking the sting out of the Hornets to clinch a 3-2 victory.