Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young news - by Owain Jones

Young guns news - Friday 13th May 2005.

Nick Adams (Bury - midfielder) - Was impressive for the Bury reserves in the Lancashire Senior County Cup on Monday night, but his performance was not enough to clinch the trophy with a 1-0 defeat against Rochdale. The youngster who's grandfather hails from Llanhilleth had a couple of attempts blocked as his side narrowly lost.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - defender/midfielder) - Got a first start in the league after impressing manager Paul Merson for the reserve side. All this came in a week where he travelled down to Llanelli to join the Wales U19 training camp under the supervision of youth supremo Brian Flynn. On Saturday the Wales youth international played for 60 minutes and linked up well down the left side as his side cruised to a 3-0 win over Brentford.

Adam Callan (Bristol Rovers - winger) + Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) - Suffered Cup Final heartache as Rovers lost to 2-0 to Yate in the Gloucestershire FA Cup Final. Callan in particular was a menace all game as the winger created and missed a fair few chances as the Pirates pressed for a result. The Merthyr born winger will have enjoyed being involved with the Wales U19 training camp last week, and will look to press for a bench spot with the seniors next season.

Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) - Got his 25th goal of the season as the Oxford reserves drew 1-1 with Millwall in their final Pontins Holiday's Combination league game in midweek. The Wales U21 striker who will travel to Spain with the seniors scored from the spot as he got his 25th goal in what has been a remarkable season for the former Manchester City academy member.

Robert Duffy (Rushden and Diamonds - striker) + Lee Worgan (Rushden and Diamonds - goalkeeper) - Have both been released by manager Barry Hunter as he prepares his squad for next season. The club finished just one spot above the relegation trap door this season and both players will now look to find new clubs for the new season. Duffy has suffered with injuries over the past two seasons and Worgan has not really had a run at the first team goalkeeping spot after impressing for the Wales U21 team, so both will have a lot to prove with respective new clubs.

David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Has signed a new contract at Gay Meadow as recognition of his good form towards the tail end of this season. The Wales U19 midfielder lost his starting place under manager Jimmy Quinn but regained it when new boss Gary Peters took over the Shrews. He will now hope to press for an U21 squad place as Wales bring the World Cup campaign to a close.

Russell Fry (Hull - midfielder) - Was another Welsh qualified youngster rewarded for his fine form for the reserves with a first league start for promoted Hull City. The former Wales U16 international lined up in the centre of midfield but didn't got the distance after being caught by a late tackle as his debut came to a sad end after he was taken off after only 32 minutes.

Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn - midfielder) - Scored a late header as Blackburn advanced into the Premier League Cup Final with a win against Southampton on Saturday. The young Rovers won the trophy after a pulsating game against Coventry in midweek.

Lewis Guy (Doncaster - striker) - Got a brace for Rovers as they took the lead against league champions Luton last Saturday. The former Wales U16 international hit the net twice as Rovers claimed a 65th minute equaliser to claim a point for his side.

Wayne Hennessey (Wolves - goalkeeper) - Travels to Spain with the Senior Welsh squad with the blessing and praise of Academy manager Chris Evans. "He has made very good progress both at Wolves and at youth international levels and has been rewarded by Glenn Hoddle with a three year professional contract. This opportunity will give Wayne further international experience and the chance to impress Welsh manager, John Toshack." Chris Evans.

Adam Jones (Burnley - midfielder) - Has been released by the club after coming to the end of their three year scholarship spell at Turf Moor. The Welsh youngster has seen his period at the club curtailed by injury and will now have to look for another club over the summer period.

David Jones (Man Utd - midfielder) - Struck again to enhance his reputation as Utd won the inaugural play off final against Charlton on Thursday evening. The Welsh qualified midfielder struck from a free kick as the Red Devil reserves beat the southern winners Charlton 4-2. The Charlton back four contained Adam Gross (defender) who it seems will be leaving the Valley at the end of the season.

Stuart Jones (Swansea - defender) - Has been told that he has no future at the club by manager Kenny Jackett and is another of a long list of Welsh youngsters who will spend the next few months looking for a new club.

Curtis McDonald (Cardiff - striker) - Scored from open play during the FAW Youth Cup but missed a penalty as the tie was sorted by a shoot out. The Sunday papers claimed that McDonald was being watched by Chelsea as the vultures begin to surround the talented youngsters at Ninian Park.

Daniel Nardiello (Man Utd - striker) - Again reiterated his desire to stay at Oakwell this week, and stressed that it was the coaching skills of Andy Ritchie which was the driving force behind his eagerness to stay. "I would like to know if Andy Ritchie is staying at the club because I really respect him as a coach and he was a great player as well. I would be a big plus for me if Andy were to stay at Oakwell. That is probably one of the main things for me and if Andy stays then I would love to be here next season." Daniel Nardiello.

Gareth Owen (Stoke - defender) - Is on the brink of joining Oldham on a permanent basis after impressing the club after a loan spell at the club. The chairmen of Stoke and Oldham have agreed terms for the permanent transfer and now the players agent will meet with the club next week to try and agree personal terms.

Ross Stephens (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Has been shown the door as manager Gary Peters starts a clear out at Gay Meadow. The young midfielder was out of contract in the summer and is one of eight players to be released by Peters. He may well look to the League of Wales for a new club in the same way that Chris Venables did after being released by the border town club.

Dan Tolley (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Has been released as a scholar from Gay Meadow after failing to impress the management. He will now spend the summer looking for a new club.

Michael Walsh (Chester - defender) - Has suffered the curse of the new broom sweeps clean as new manager Keith Curle has axed all but nine of his first team squad. The Welsh qualified youngster had broken into the first team squad this season but will now look for life away from the Deva Stadium along with twenty other colleagues.

Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) - All at YG are glad to report that the youngster sustained only severe bruising and possible ligament damage rather than the suspected broken leg that was feared during the Somerset Premier Cup Final on Tuesday night. The Glovers went on to win the game 5-0 against Odd Down and we now wish Dale a speedy recovery over the summer and hope that his injury will not restrict his chances of playing for the Wales U19 team in the July friendly internationals against Turkey.

Young guns news - Friday 6th May 2005.

Omar Abdillahi (Carmarthen - striker) - Struck his sides second goal as Carmarthen won the Loosemores Challenge Cup against Rhyl on Monday afternoon. The former Blackburn academy member slotted in from a right wing cross as the South West Wales outfit took the silverware back down the A470 from Latham Park.

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) - Got a chance to shine for the Southampton U18's on Saturday as the schoolboy looked to impress Steve Wigley in time for next season. It was not to be a clean sheet day for the Wales U16's international, as the Saints lost 3-2 to Leicester.

Adam Birchall (Arsenal - striker) - Was an used substitute for the Gunners reserves on Monday and also had a game for the Swindon second string as the talented Wales U21 international contemplates his next move away from Highbury.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder) - Put in a man of the match performance as the Saddlers youth team drew 2-2 with Plymouth. Walsall drew level after a superb through ball by Bradley slipped in Harris to score his sides second goal as they snatched a point. After a week with the U19 training camp, Mark Bradley was given the news this week that he will start after reports from the reserves reached manager Paul Merson who will now throw him into the fray against Stockport tomorrow. "Even though he is only 17 years of age he plays with a maturity beyond his years and deserves this opportunity. Having seen him in action for the reserves, it is clear that he is a player who is comfortable on the ball and has a great engine." - Paul Merson.

Thomas Carter (MK Dons - midfielder) - Has been released from the Milton Keynes outfit as the club shut down the London training centre and move lock stock to a new location closer to the club. The Welsh qualified midfielder will now spend the summer looking for a new club to move his career forward.

Andrew Crofts (Gillingham - midfielder) - Who put pen to paper on a four year contract at Priestfield this season was voted Young Player of the Year at the club over the weekend. The youngster who has lost his place as the fight for relegation hots up in the Championship will be raring to get out of the trenches to win his shirt back and help his side climb away from the drop zone.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) - Was in the thick of the action as the Baggies reserves took on Sunderland in midweek. The former Wales U17 and current U19 training squad international created a chance in the first and was blocked whilst in a good position during the second as his side drew 0-0 with Sunderland. The former Wrexham trainee was playing in midfield alongside current Welsh international Jason Koumas who is firmly out of favour at The Hawthorns.

Stuart Fleetwood (Cardiff - striker) - Scored in the 90th minute as Cardiff City reserves beat Swindon 1-0 this week. The Welsh U21 international struck from a corner as the Bluebirds won in the dying minutes as the home side won the Holiday West and Wales Combination League.

Russell Fry (Hull - midfielder) - Scored his sides second goal as Hull reserves finished the season in style with a 3-1 win over Barnsley. After the final whistle the Pontins Holiday League Premier Division trophy was handed to Fry as the Tigers celebrated double success. The former Wales U16 international has been a main stay in the second string starting line up without making that step up into Peter Taylor's but the England U21 manager has gone on record this week as saying that he is deliberating whether to play Fry in the final league game of the season against Brentford. "The reserves won their league and I'm thinking about rewarding Scott (Wiseman) and Russell. It's difficult for players like Scott and Russell because they're at such a big football club. Maybe elsewhere they would have had a chance by now and they've been patient." - Peter Taylor.

Gavin Hurran (Nottingham Forest - defender) - Played for the Shrewsbury reserves on Monday as he strives to find himself another club after being released by relegated Forest. The game finished 1-1 with Hurran blazing over from eight yards with the goal at his mercy. The youngster will now wait to find out whether he has done enough to earn another chance to impress the staff at Gay Meadow.

Carl Jones (Cardiff - midfielder) - Won the Dolmans Solicitors Player of the year award after impressing during a season which saw him catch the eye for the Welsh team in the Victory Shield competition and also in a campaign which saw him gain U17 honours with Ian Rush' young charges. The talented youngster from Pwllheli has been attending various training sessions with Liverpool, Man Utd, Blackburn and Everton to name only a few sides, but has decided that he will become a trainee with Cardiff City after the summer. You can read more about the story over on the FAW Trust official web site www.fawtrust.org.uk

David Jones (Man Utd - midfielder) - Came off the subs bench to score as the Red Devils reserves won the Pontins League Cup Final to complete a treble of trophies. The Welsh qualified midfielder played a one-two with Louis Saha before drilling the ball emphatically past the keeper to score his sides third and final goal.

Endaf Jones (Shrewsbury - striker) + Dan Tolley (Shrewsbury - midfielder) - Both played in Shrewsbury Town Youth side who defeated Port Vale in the Midland Youth Cup. Dan Tolley played industriously in midfield and Endaf Jones came on as substitute and scored the third in their 3-0 win.

Daniel Nardiello (Man Utd - striker) - Is keen to sign a permanent contract at Oakwell after admitting that his time at Old Trafford is up. Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie is eager to keep hold of Nardiello and has already persuaded Utd to sanction a free transfer away from Manchester. "My agent will be going to see the Barnsley chairman next week to see what the club is offering me," Daniel Nardiello.