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 Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.
Young guns news - Sunday 27th November 2005.

This weeks Young Guns update includes news from the last fortnight.  Diolch Owain

Nicky Adams (Bury - striker)
Got another 90 minutes under his belt on Saturday as Bury beat Mansfield by 3-0.  The Welsh qualified striker weighed in with two assists as he added to his growing reputation with another fine performance. 

Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) Started the reserve team game against Leicester on Wednesday night.  The Saints reserves managed to keep a clean sheet as they ran out 2-0 winners.  The Foxes starting XI contained Liam Norval (defender).

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder) Features again after a forceful performance against Rushden and Diamonds this week as the young Saddlers advanced to the next round of the FA Youth Cup.  The Wales U19 international has been impressive for country and club this season, and will hope to push once more to the verge of the first team as the season progresses.

Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) Is making good progress with his hamstring problem after reviewing with a German specialist. At this point the club are are looking at a time frame of a couple of weeks before getting him back into some constructive work.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) Managed a consolation goal for Bristol City as they crashed to a straight seventh defeat at the hands of Chesterfield on Saturday.  The Wales international also scored for his country in the heated U21 international in Cyprus in midweek.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) Played another 90 minutes for the second string this week but his reserve side were no match for a strong Manchester Utd side.  Although he will have once again enjoyed another full game for the second string.

Lewis Guy (Doncaster - striker) Has signed a new contract that extends his stay for another 18 months 18 after the former Magpie Academy member impressed manager David Penney.  It is interesting to note that Guy will still be eligible for the Wales U21 campaign for the Euro qualifiers next year. "I am really enjoying my football here and just want to keep pressing for a regular place in the starting line up." Lewis Guy.

Carl Jones (Cardiff - striker) Opened the scoring as the Cardiff U18 team beat Birmingham 2-1 at the weekend to record and excellent win against Birmingham.  The Wales U17 international cut in from the right before unleashing an unstoppable volley into the net. 

Mark Jones (Wrexham - midfielder) Scored and absolute scorcher at the weekend as the Dragons beat Oxford by 3-0.  The midfielder who is growing as a player every week also got his first international goal in the bad tempered 3-3 draw with the Cyprus U21 side. 

Kyle Letheren (Swansea - goalkeeper) Has signed for Newport County as cover for the injured Tony Pennock.  Letheren, who was included in the U21 squad for the game against Cyprus and deputised against Salisbury yesterday. 

Shaun MacDonald (Swansea - midfielder) Started on Tuesday night as the Swans made short work of Rushden and Diamonds and eased into the quarter finals of the Southern section of the LDV Vans Trophy.  The Wales U21 slotted into midfield and will now hope to keep his place as the Swans eye a final spot at the Millennium Stadium to emulate Wrexhams heroics last year.  He was joined in the squad by Chad Bond (striker) and Mark Pritchard (striker) with the former coming off the bench in the second half.

Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) Scored the winning goal in the League encounter against Stoke on Tuesday night.  The Wales U21 centre half strode calmly forward before cushioning a header past Steve Simonsen in the Stoke goal to score his sides second and the crucial goal that took all three points.  "The celebration was quite calm for me, but that's the way I am, I try to stay calm, but I could definitely feel the buzz around the ground." Lewin Nyatanga.

Lewis Price (Ipswich - goalkeeper) Is enjoying a good week after making his debut for Wales, the stopper has now signed a new contract that ties his to Portman Road until 2008.

Anthony Pulis (Stoke - midfielder) Is being tracked by Wrexham and Rochdale according to reports in one Sunday newspaper over the weekend.  The former Portsmouth reserve has not been included in any first team squads since arriving at the Britannia Stadium and may well look to move on to kick start his first team career.

Owain Warlow (Lincoln - midfielder) Played at a freezing Sincil Bank on Wednesday evening as Lincoln City Under 18s exited the Midland Youth Cup in a tightly contested 1-0 reverse with Grimsby Town. In front of first team manager Keith Alexander and representatives of Bolton Wanderers, Warlow played just off the front two and linked play well in demonstrating his wide range of passing. Warlow was in charge of all free kicks on goal and came close to scoring with a couple of left footed efforts forcing saves from the goalkeeper. Gethin Evans from G2 Sports Management Group who watched the match said 'Lincoln's players constantly looked to get Warlow away with his pace, and after speaking with Lincoln's coaching staff he is clearly highly thought of at the club.'

Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) Played a commanding role in Yeovil U18's game v Swansea U18's where his assist in the first goal and a Trundle type goal where he controlled and volleyed the third goal from 30 yards won the game for Yeovil 3-2.  He also got a run out for a Yeovil XI during the second half as they played a behind closed doors friendly against Skonta Riga.  He will now link up with Newport County after Yeovil agreed to a one month loan deal as he strives for more senior game time. 

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Got an assist as the Wrexham youth team battled into the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a win on penalties against Oldham.  The former Wales U17 striker claimed an assist on his sides only goal of open play as the game finished 1-1 in normal time.  The Oldham side contained U19 international Neil Eardley (defender) who also got an assist and he was joined in the squad by Bangor born Michael Pearson (defender) who was on the bench.

Young guns news - Monday 14th November 2005.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder)
Put in a skippers performance as the Walsall youth team marched into the next round of the cup with a victory over Shrewbury.  The Wales U19 international scored with two minutes to go, the youngster scoring with a sweet strike to save the pain of the lottery of penalties.

David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) Returned to the starting line up after injury and was on the score sheet as Shrewsbury advanced into the next round with a 4-0 win against Braintree.  The former Wales U19 international got behind the defence and cut the ball in past the advancing keeper to score his sides fourth and final goal.  The midfielder made it a double celebration after being voted man of the match by the game sponsors.

Peter Ferris (Carlisle - striker) Is another Welsh youngster who faces some time on the physio table after a visit to the specialist showed that he has cartlige damage as well as ligament damage.  He is facing up to 12 months out after snapping a posterior cruciate ligament during a clash with the Preston reserve team keeper last month.  All at Dragon Soccer wishes him all the best in his recovery. "He will get all the help he needs.  He will sign a one-year professional contract when his youth contract runs out, as he is a player that everyone here wants to see back to his best."  Billy Parr, Carlisle coach.

Dean Grubb (Bristol City - midfielder) Will miss a lot of the season after suffering with a suspected broken leg against rivals Bristol Rovers in the FA Youth cup tie at the weekend.  The youngster has been reassured that he has a future at the club as he faces a spell on the sidelines.  He joins a list of talented Welsh youngsters that include Kyle Critchell (Southampton - defender) and Peter Ferris (see above) who will spend the rest of the season on the physio table.  All at Dragon Soccer wish them all the best. "The medical staff are 70% certain that Dean Grubb has broken his leg, which is very disappointing because he is fine prospect." John Clayton, U18 Coach.

Joe Carter-Harris (Portsmouth - striker) Played for the Pompey reserves this week in a 1-0 defeat at Watford.  The striker who qualifies for Wales through a Welsh grandfather started in a very youthful looking Portsmouth XI but was frustrated due to the lack of shooting chances created.  The youngster has been in fine form for the U18 side this season, scoring twice in the 5-1 victory over Brentford last week.  During the same game, Port Talbot born Dean Harris,  (Portsmouth - goalkeeper) no relation pulled off a penalty save.

Liam Maloney (Preston - defender) Got another run out for the reserves this week as the second string played Rochdale this week.  The former Wales U17 international played the full 90 minutes as Preston beat Rochdale by 3-2.

Daniel Nardiello (Barnsley - striker) Scored a quick fire goal to sink Stoke as the Barnsley reserves cruised to an easy win as the former Man Utd academy striker eased himself back from injury.  It still puzzles me somehow how he still has not decided to pin his colours to an international mast, although he does probably have to hold down a first team spot on a regular basis before he even thinks about that.  The Stoke midfield contained Wales U21 international Anthony Pulis.

Liam Norval (Leicester - defender) Played in the back four that kept an experienced Spurs front line at bay on Tuesday night.  The young Foxes snuck a goal as they ran out 1-0 winners as the former Wales U16 international got another 90 minutes of reserve team football under his belt.

Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) Again showed what a rapid rise he is making in football as he captained the Derby reserves in a behind closed doors friendly against Mansfield at Moor Farm this week.  The Rams ran out 2-0 winners with Nyatanga playing the full 90 minutes.  It has already been a big year for Burton born Nyatanga, who became the youngest ever Welsh U21 international in February and followed that up by becoming the youngest ever captain two days before turning 17.  On the day of his 17th birthday he signed his first professional contract and made his senior debut with a 90 minute outing in the Carling Cup defeat

Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) Played for 45 minutes before the reserve team game against Birmingham was called off due to a water logged pitch on Tuesday night.  With the score level at 0-0 the referee decided to call it off at the interval.  I am sure his family will be looking forward to some good Christmas pressies after senior team mate Kevin Nolan revealed that he will be paying Powell £50 for every goal that he has scored this season.  With Nolan up to seven goals already this season, the Christmas festive season will start slightly earlier for the Cardiff born full back.  There would be double pre-festive cheer for the full back as well, with the call up to the Wales U21 squad after being in the wilderness since an injury put him out of the Wales U19 training squad earlier this year.

Jamie Price (Birmingham - midfielder) Started the Birmingham Senior Cup game against Stourbridge this week.  The mini Savage started in midfield and will hope now that this will mean he can break into the second string on a regular basis with Wales U21 spots up for grabs next year.

Marc Williams (Wrexham - striker) Struck a hat trick as the Dragons moved into the second round of the FA youth Cup with a 3-0 win against Skelmersdale United.  The former Wales U17 international has been on the fringes of the first team this season, and will no doubt have turned a few heads with another three goals at the weekend.

Young guns news - Sunday 6th November 2005.

Nicky Adams (Bury - striker)
Started once again up front for Bury as he built up his first team experience.  It was not to be another glorious start with the youngster snatching at a lot of chances as they went down 3-2 to Notts County.  He could well be a dark horse to break into the Wales U21 team for the trip to Cyprus. "Nicky is a little bit younger than David (Buchanan) but his maturity will come and he'll mature into a good player, there's no question about that." Chris Casper, Bury manager.

Ramon Calliste (Liverpool - striker) Again was at the forefront of the Liverpool attacks with his pace and power creating all manner of problems for the Manchester City rearguard.  The only thing missing this time around in a solid display was a goal as the Wales U21 striker failed to put away any of the chances that he created.

Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) Has had further complications with his hamstring. The Club Doctor will be taking him to see a specialist in Germany who looks after the German national team and is an expert in more alternative approaches to soft tissue rehabilitation and treatment.

Adam Davies (Cambridge - defender) Has just signed his first profesional contract until the end of the 2007/08 season.  This will come as welcome news to the former Peterborough trainee after returning from international duty with the unlucky Wales U19 side.  The youngster made his senior debut for Camridge whilst still a second year scholar last season in the LDV Vans Trophy competition.  "We think Adam has a great future in the game and I'm delighted to have him signed up.  It's a learning process for him but hopefully we can help with that." Rob Newman, Cambridge Utd manager

Nicky Fish (Cardiff - midfielder) We are happy to say has made his first steps on the road to recovery after a nasty car accident.  We all at Dragon Soccer and Young Guns wish him all the best and a very speedy recovery.

Scott Hillman (Midfielder) Is a familiar face in the chance of lifetime show doing the rounds on SKY one at the moment.  The former Wales U16 international is currently one of the crop of youngsters chosen from thousands to train for six weeks at Chelsea's academy after making through the initial trials on the reality show Football Icon.

David Jones (Man Utd/Preston - midfielder) Was outstanding once again as Preston finally registered their first home win of the season against Hull on Tuesday night.  The Welsh qualified midfielder scored his sides second goal in a 3-0 win with a 20 yard shot that went in off the post.  It once again highlights the potential that this youngster has and how much of a coup it would be to have him in the Welsh set up.  It is now thought that with the poor form of the Red Devils, he could well be recalled to Old Trafford to bolster the midfield that is set to shift Liam Miller out to Leeds on loan.

Levin Mackin (Wrexham - midfielder) Started for the senior side on Saturday after being very unlucky with injuries this season.  The reserve team captain was unfortunately struck down with his injury curse again after limping off after half an hour as the Dragons won in controversial circumstances against Darlington at the weekend.

Liam Norval (Leicester - defender) Once again started in the Foxes back four along with Peter Gilbert as the Leicester reserve took on Fulham this week.  The game finished in a 1-1 draw with the young foxes coming from beind to clinch a point.

Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) Was on the bench last night for Derby against Ipswich as he once again got more experience of being around the senior squad.  He did not make it on to the field this time around as the game shifted back and forth in a pulsating 3-3 draw.

Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) Scored a goal as the Bolton reserves beat Sunderland 3-2 this week.  The former Wales U17 international was on hand to tap in his sides equaliser as the Trotters stormed back to win against the Black Cats.  It seems that the youngster is stuck in international oblivion at the moment with Powell not having been chosen for any squad even though he is still eligible for the U19 team.  All this comes as a slight suprise considering the dearth of young talent at Premiership level and by the fact that the Cardiff born defender has started the last 10 games for the reserves.

Owain Warlow (Lincoln - midfielder) Played in the FA Youth cup tie against Rushden and Diamonds this week, but it would not be a dream start as Rushden and Diamonds youngsters ran out 3-0 winners.  He has impressed the coaching staff at Lincoln City this season, and the left footed winger looked dangerous whenever he had the ball thanks to his pace and balance. The youngster who is yet to receive recognition from Wales will have hoped to impress scouts watching from Manchester Utd, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

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