Welsh football players. - Young guns - News and views

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.

Young guns news - Sunday 27 Aug 06.

The season is barely a few weeks old and we are already purring over the appearance and performances of young Gareth Bale down at St Mary's. We have also witnessed a brief starting role for Neal Eardley at OIdham before his sending off on the first weekend of the season, Lewin Nyatanga making a welcome appearance off the bench for the Rams at the weekend and squad numbers for Matthew Collins and Michael Johnston at Fulham and Tranmere respectively. It all bodes well for youth football even if the loss to the Israel U21 side was a bit of a body blow. Again this season I would be grateful for any assistance with names and information so please continue to send your e-mails. Diolch Owain

Michael Chedwyn-Evans (Man City - striker) Made an instant impact on the first U18 game of the season against a Charlton team that contained two Wales youth internationals in Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) and Chris Saunders (Charlton - defender) who was making a welcome return after a season out through injury and illness. It was Evans who dug his side out of a hole, scoring twice and creating havoc to force a professional foul from the Addicks keeper who was shown the red card. The game finished 3-3 with Saunders being forced off after some over zealous tackling.

Simon Church (Reading - midfielder) Scored one as the Royals got off to a flying start in the U18 Premier League last weekend. The Welsh qualified midfielder got his sides second goal in their 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) Notched his sides consolation as they were bombed out of the Carling Cup by Cheltenham Town. The full international curled in an exquisite shot and his goal will have given him confidence after being out of the starting XI for the past two matches.

Neal Eardley (Oldham - defender) Reclaimed his starting spot this week after being sent off in the first game of the season. The North Walian started as the Latics crashed out of the Carling Cup 3-1 against a rampant Rotherham team.

Scott Evans (Man City - midfielder) The Wales U19 standby player got a run out for the City second string on Wednesday against Chester City. The former Wales U17 captain got 90 minutes under his belt as the reserves drew 1-1.

Stuart Fleetwood (Hereford - striker) Scored a ht trick as Hereford dumped Coventry out of the Carling Cup this week. The former Bluebird and Wales U21 international showed great pace and finishing to condemn to the Sky Blues to an early exit.

"I think he has still got a bit left to do for us yet! Stuart has got a great attitude and he has got his just desserts here tonight. When he has had his chances, he has done well." Graham Turner, Hereford manager

Wayne Hennessey (Wolves - goalkeeper) Has been forced to cut his loan period at Ashton Gate short after an arm injury. The Wales U21 international had been hoping to get some valuable first team action with Bristol City, but his new injury will come as a blow to the talented stopper.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) Kept up his hot scoring streak that started in the Milk Cup in Colleraine by thumping a free kick into the top corner to give his side a lead they would not lose against Wolves' U18 team. He was joined in the starting XI by Kyle Critchell (defender).

Anthony Pulis (Stoke - midfielder) Got the start he's been craving for as the league sides gave they're fringe players a run out this week. The Wales U21 international played the full 90 minutes for his dad, but the game ended badly for Stoke as they lost 2-1 to Darlington at the Britannia Stadium.

Brian Stock (Preston - midfielder) Scored an equaliser but it was not to be enough as his side were swallowed under an avalanche of goals against Man Utd in the Lancashire Senior Cup this week. The former U21 international struck with a left footed daisy cutter in the first half, but his side came up short as the Red Devils and David Jones (Man Utd - midfielder) who scored his sides sixth goal out of seven put to the game well and truly to rest.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Made up slightly for his red card in the U21 game against Israel with a goal for the reserves in their 3-1 win against Blackpool this week. The U21 international struck on the 40th minute as he appeared between two defenders before striking the ball past the goalkeeper.