Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.

Young guns news - Monday 31-Mar-08

Josh Klein-Davis (Bristol Rovers - striker) Started and scored last weekend as his side lost 3-2 at the Memorial Stadium to Huddersfield. The former Wales U19 international struck from close range to put his side ahead in a tight game last Saturday. Unfortunately, his goal was not enough to guarantee a starting spot for the trip to the Liberty at the weekend as the forward was forced back to bench duty.

Sean Evans (Man Utd - midfielder) Will not be offered terms by Cheltenham town, with the club highlighting financial constraints as the main reason. After a week on trial the former Shrewsbury youth team member was hoping that he had done enough to secure a permanent deal, but will now go back to the drawing board.

Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn/Gretna - midfielder) Made another appearance off the bench as the struggling Scottish Premier lost 3-0 to Celtic last weekend. The Wales qualified midfielder has not been able to hold down a regular starting spot and will look to impress in the final games of the season.

Joe Partington (Bournemouth - midfielder) Made two late substitute appearances from the bench for the seniors over the Easter period. After making coming off the bench late in the 2-1 defeat to Gillingham, the Wales U19 midfielder also came on with a few minutes to go in the 2-1 win over Tranmere. He will now hope to gain more playing time as the Cherries look a long shot to avoid relegation.

Ashton Taylor (Tranmere - defender) Started for the reserves on Wednesday night as they took on Chester on Wednesday night. Taylor played 90 minutes in defence as his side won 2-0, their first win since February.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Played up front as a strong Wrexham secons string beat Accrington Stanley in midweek. The Wales U21 international has dropped down the pecking order slightly after the arrival of Brian Little, and has also watched brother Mike Williams (Wrexham - defender) get a lot more game time for club and country. The Dragons ran out 3-0 winners with Williams getting 90 minutes under his belt.

Young guns news - Tuesday 25-Mar-08

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Celebrated his call up to the Wales U21 squad by playing for the reserves on Monday night. The full back played 90 minutes as the game against Watford finished 0-0.

Jack Collison (West Ham - midfielder) Proved what an exciting talent he is again this week, with a captains performance as the second string beat Reading. The Wales U21 international opened the scoring as the Hammer won 2-1 and put in an extremely fine box to box performance.

Sean Evans (Man Utd - midfielder) Has gone on trial to Cheltenham as he looks at life away from Old Trafford. The ex Shrewsbury academy player is being released by the Red Devils and will spend a week on trial. Evans played for the reserves in midweek as they won for the first time in 2008 against Swansea. He will now hope to have done enough to earn a second chance.

Lloyd James (Southampton - defender/midfielder) Was singled out for praise by reserve team coach Stewart Henderson this week. James had a hand in his sides goal as the Saints drew with QPR on Tuesday night.

Chris Jones (Swansea - striker) Scored twice for the reserves against Cheltenham in midweek, but it was not enough to get anything from the game. Jones used his opportunist instincts to poach his first before hitting a searing drive as the game finished 4-2 to the Robins.

Joe Partington (Bournemouth - midfielder) Played 90 minutes for the reserves as they shocked an experience Bristol City this week. Partington, who was an unused sub for the seniors against Yeovil last Saturday started in mdifield as a very inexperienced team won at Ashton Gate.

Rhys Taylor (Chelsea - goalkeeper) Will be the Welsh representative at the FA Youth Cup final this year after the Blues beat Aston Villa on aggregate. Although maybe not at his commanding best on Wednesday night in the second leg at Villa Park, Taylor will now look forward to facing Manchester City in the final.

Sam Vokes (Bournemouth - striker) Struck his 11th of the season last Saturday as his reputation grows from week to week. The Wales U21 strikers solo run and shot gave his side a two goal cushion which they would not relinquish in the 2-0 win over Yeovil.

Rhys Williams (Middlesborough - defender) Played at the back as Boro beat York in the North Riding Senior Cup on Wednesday night. Williams who was the captain on the evening went on to lift the trophy for his side and will now look forward to going away with the U21's to Bosnia next week.

Young guns news - Sunday 9-Mar-08

Nicky Adams (Bury - striker) Got his side off to a flier with a goal inside two minutes as Bury sunk Brentford 4-1 on Tuesday night. The Wales U21 international struck from the edge of the box as the Shakers dispatched the Bees at Griffin Park.

Andrew Crofts (Gillingham - midfielder) Scored a wonder goal on Tuesday night, but it was not enough to earn his side any points as the Gills lost 4-2 against Brighton. The Wales midfielder scored from 30 yards, taking the ball on his chest before allowing it to drop and hammering in past the keeper.

Josh Klein-Davis (Bristol Rovers - striker) Made an appearance on the bench last weekend as his side beat Millwall 1-0 at The New Den. The former Wales U19 striker was an unused sub as Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - forward) supplied the cross for the only goal of the game. Klein-Davis went one better in midweek, coming off the bench after 78 minutes to replace Haldane as Rovers lost 1-0 Doncaster on Tuesday night.

Chris Gunter (Spurs - defender) Got 90 minutes under his belt as the reserves beat Villa 3-0 this week. The Wales international swapped flanks to mark Wayne Routledge during the first half and nullified the threat that he was causing the home side.

Josh Knight (WBA - striker) Was back to form for the reserves as they crushed Barnsley this week. The Baggies won the game 6-1, with Knight getting three assists and causing mayhem down the left-hand side. The unfortunate victim in the Barnsley goal was Kyle Letheren (Barnsley - goalkeeper).

Shaun MacDonald (Swansea - midfielder) Managed a goal against an Espanyol XI this week as the Swans played a friendly against the Barcelona based outfit. The League One leaders were out in Spain taking part in a four-day training camp as manager Roberto Martinez makes the most of his Spanish connections.

Joe Partington (Bournemouth - midfielder) Was on the bench on Saturday as Bournemouth beat Hartlepool 2-0 as they look to avoid relegation. The Wales U19 international was an unused sub as they grabbed a valuable three points.

Sam Vokes (Bournemouth - striker) Scored twice last Saturday and broke the clubs record for youngest player to bag 10 goals in a season. The Lymington born striker was also named in the League One team of the week. He will also make an appearance on Y Clwb Pel-droed this weekend, as the programme profiles the talented hitman.

Young guns news - Sunday 2-Mar-08

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Started for the suspended Kelly Youga at the weekend, as the Addicks lost 5-3 to Blackpool. With the defence shipping five goals, it will be interesting to see if U21 international keeps his place in the Charlton starting XI for the next game. It has also been ruomoured that Basey could leave on loan in the coming weeks.

Jack Collison (West Ham - midfielder) Played 90 minutes as the Hammers beat Spurs in a London derby. The second string have been in fine form of late, with Collison and a number of his team mates getting noticed and called up to the first team as a result.

Josh Klein-Davis (Bristol Rovers - striker) Put in a fine performance for the reserves as he looks to earn an extended stay at the Memorial Stadium. The former Wales U19 international had a goal disallowed that was probably valid as he earned faint praise from second string boss Kevin Hodges as his side drew with Exeter City.
"Josh Klein-Davis also played well up front. He's a very powerful lad and has a lethal shot. We all know that the big question mark against Josh is his work rate and I have to say that, in his last three games, his work rate is definitely improving and we are seeing rewards for that." Kevin Hodges, reserve team coach.

Damian Hopkins (Bradford - defender) Put in some solid tackles as the Bantam reserves beat Wolves this week. The Wales U19 defender played 90 minutes as Bradford ran out 2-1 winners against a Wolves side that contained Wales qualified Peter Williams (Wolves - defender) who was replaced after 62 minutes.

Lloyd James (Southampton - defender/midfielder) + Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Both started as the Saints reserves lost to Charlton on Tuesday night. James got 90 minutes and McLaggon 63 as they lost 3-1 in London.

Andy King (Leicester - midfielder) Kept up his fine reserve team form with the only goal of the game as his side beat Walsall 1-0. The Wales U21 international smashed in his goal with two minutes remaining as his side took the spoils in the local derby. He will now hope to make an appearance for the first team, with Ian Holloway's side stuttering at the moment.

Max Noble (Fulham - striker) Is all set for a trial with Crystal Palace as he looks to start life away from Craven Cottage. After being told that he will be released by Fulham, it is thought he will get a reserve team game with the Eagles as he looks to impress.

Jonathan North (Watford - goalkeeper) Played the the Hornets reserves lost to Wycombe on Tuesday night. The Wales U19 keeper has been a regular for the second string this season and got another 90 minutes under his belt as they lost 2-1 to local rivals Wycombe.

Christian Riberio (Bristol City - defender) + James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) Played for the reserves this week as the beat Forest Green Rovers 1-0. Ribeiro played 75 minutes of his sides win, with Wilson getting 90 minutes under his belt as he proves that he is well and truly over his knee injury.

Rhys Taylor (Chelsea - goalkeeper) And his youth team mates advanced to the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a 5-2 win against Port Vale on Tuesday night. The Wales U21 keeper was forced into a few saves as the Blues comfortably won through to the semi finals of the competition for the first ever time.

Owain Fon Williams (Crewe - goalkeeper) Got a rare run out this week as the reserves beat Walsall 7-1 in a behind closed doors friendly this week. The Wales U21 goalkeeper played 90 minutes as the second string hammered the Saddlers.

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) Returned to senior action this week as the Palace reserves drew with Millwall. It has been a tough time for the left back with knee and ankle injuries forcing him out of action for a long period. The Wales U21 international played 58 minutes before being withdrawn as the game finished 0-0.