PICTURE by Richard Gregson.
THIS weekend was a great one for my club, Llandegfan FC.
After enduring a hell of a tough season it was nice to be reminded of just why I loved the beautiful game when we came away with a 6-2 win over Pentraeth Reserves last Saturday.
The victory, in the play-off round of the Bwlch Car Boot Trophy, was our first home win of the season and was as much of a relief as it was a delight.
Recently, I’ve been helping Jordan Love as an assistant manager to the side after sustaining a back injury in January. I’m loving being part of the team from the sidelines as my footballing brain has always been better than my two left feet anyway!
I always try to be unbiased on the blog (as a good journalist always should be!). However, this particular post is dedicated to the club and the players who have become good friends to me over the past few months.
Here, I introduce you to each and every one of them …
Goalkeeper
Hywel “The Monk” Hughes
Supports: Manchester United
Llandeg’s one and only goalkeeper, the Monk has made us all laugh with some of his antics this season but he’s also a very important part of our side and one of the most vocal players in the starting eleven.
Despite conceding over 100 goals during a tough campaign, it’s fair to say it could’ve been nearly double that without some of the fine saves he’s made at times.
A true character within the side and a veteran of the game, “The Monk” has played nearly every match for Llandeg this season and is highly appreciated by the club.
Defenders
Matty Roberts
A tough tackling defender who continuously puts his body on the line for his club and has earned himself several Man of the Match award this season.
Roberts has been one of the star players within the team and has really stood out with some of his performances during the campaign.
He is certainly one of the first names on the team sheet whenever he’s available.
Ryan Williams
Supports: Tottenham Hotspur
Young centre back who has been named captain on several occasions this season due to his natural leadership skills.
Williams has formed a great partnership with Roberts and in the games they’ve played alongside one another (which unfortunately due to both’s work commitments, hasn’t been that often!), we have looked much stronger defensively.
He’s a great player who is confident, times his tackles well and wins headers too.
Dale Rowlands
One of the most committed players at the club who always gives 110% in matches.
Rowlands has played in several different positions this season, including all across the back four, up front and even as a goalkeeper in one match.
His versatility has seen him score three goals this season too so he’s certainly a vital player to this Llandeg side.
Nathan Roberts
Right Back who has gradually became a regular starter for the club and is improving with every game.
Roberts is naturally a right back and since Chris Hughes’ departure from the club in January, it is him who has usually filled that space at the back.
Paul Roberts
Was a regular starter in the first half of the season but work commitments restricted his playing time towards 2018.
Paul, the brother of centre back Matt, is a left back who showed what he was capable of in the opening few games of the campaign.
Marley Lewis
Strong and committed centre back who has made quite a few appearances in the second half of the season and will no doubt make some more before the end of this campaign.
Craig Childes
Played at left back most often but can also play as a centre back and a central midfielder. Childes is a tall figure and his versatility is very welcome within our side.
Shaun Hanmer
Supports: Arsenal
Has made a handful of appearances as a full-back this season.
Midfielders
Neil Gillard
One of the most improved players at the club in my opinion and has worked really hard to get to the stage that he is at now.
Gillard has played at full back positions but has started to play more regularly as a winger and has popped up with two goals during the 2017/18 campaign.
Ashley Jones
Supports: Manchester United
Jones is a tough tackling midfielder who has really stood out during some of Llandegfan’s matches this season.
The 20-year-old has been one of our best players when on form as he is great at winning the ball back and picking out a team mate with a great pass.
His goal against Pentraeth Reserves last weekend saw him take his tally of goals for the season to three, further proving his importance to our side.
Cerwyn Griffith
Supports: Manchester United
Central midfielder who started the 2017/18 season as club captain, as he was the most vocal player within the side.
Unfortunately, work commitments have got in Griffith’s way in the past few weeks and he has been unavailable for selection. We hope that he will return for the final few matches of the campaign, as he will no doubt give us a boost.
Usually deployed as a defensive midfielder, Grffith is a player who is certainly not afraid to get stuck in and win the ball back for his side and he also seems to lead the team well with his communication skills.
Ollie Protic
Talented winger who in recent weeks has become more and more involved in the Llandegfan starting eleven.
Protic can play in central midfield too and is very good at getting past players with his ability to turn quickly.
He performed really well in our 6-2 win over Pentraeth Reserves last weekend and I think there’s a lot more to come from him.
Geraint Roberts
Supports: Chelsea
Roberts has become a regular starter for the club over the past few months.
The 23-year-old is great at keeping the ball for his side and is one of the best passers of the ball within our team.
He has also bagged two goals during the campaign and in my opinion, is one of the most committed lads at the club as he never ever misses a training session (despite living on the other side of the island in Holyhead!).
Sion Thomas
Supports: Liverpool
Thomas has been with the club since the very first game of the season.
He is a skilful winger who is also very good at whipping the ball into the box. In our 3-2 win against Pentraeth Reserves in September, he assisted Jordan Love’s headed goal with a superb cross.
Despite the arrival of other wingers throughout the season, he has maintained his status of being a first team player at the club.
Adam Warriner
Supports: Manchester United
Another winger who has been involved for most of this season.
Warriner has also played as a full-back and in the first half of the season, was a regular starter within the side.
Michael Mountford
Signed from Arriva Bangor in January, has made two appearances since then. Looks like a good player out wide.
Alex Kalimidis
Another midfielder signed from Arriva at the start of 2018 who is beginning to get more game time with Llandegfan.
Forwards
Ryan Hughes
Supports: Liverpool
One of Llandegfan’s star players this season.
Pacey forward Hughes has hit eight goals so far and since being deployed as a striker, rather than a winger, he has really shown what he can do in terms of scoring and creating chances.
His two goals against Pentraeth Reserves, including a well-taken chipped finish, showed that he was full of confidence right now and that can only benefit us as the season draws to a close.
Jordan Love
Supports: Everton
Player-manager of the club who has been very effective on the field for us.
He has battled hard to get his home village back on the Anglesey League map this season and despite having a very tough campaign, he’s still holding out hope that we can come back much stronger next year.
Love has seven goals to his name so far and last Saturday seemed to show signs of him forming a great partnership up top with Ryan Hughes. The pair worked very well together and were unselfish in front of goal when he had to be.
Nathan Stenson
Supports: Manchester United
Recently started playing as a striker and has looked sharp and created chances for his side time and time again.
He is the perfect example of how coming to training each week can help you improve as a player and deserves playing time because of that.
David Lee
Supports: Liverpool
Big man up top who has provided the perfect “target man” option for us when he’s been available.
He uses his strength and size well and has very good feet for a big man, as they say.
——————————————-
SIDE NOTE:
We, as a club, hope to finish the season strongly now and hope that we can go on to spring a surprise in the Bwlch Car Boot Trophy too after our victory on Saturday.
We are looking forward to our next match on Saturday against Llangoed Reserves in the Kon-X Anglesey League.
———————————————–
ALL PICTURES in article by Richard Gregson and Wynn Evans respectively.
AFEFootballNews 