THIS time last year, I released an article with my chosen squad for the Anglesey League’s Team of the Half Season.
As many of you will have seen, this time around I have decided to give the fans of the league (or the blog?!) more of a voice too. Via the polls on the Facebook page – you have been busy voting for your favourite players and here are the results, alongside my chosen own chosen team. I have chosen 23 man squads just to give it a bit of variation.
Thanks to everyone who voted and keep an eye out for the official Team of the Season polls which will come to life at the end of May (TBC).
GOALKEEPERS
YOURS:
Dion Lewis (Arriva Bangor) – 300 votes
Arriva’s number one was your pick of the bunch when it came to goalkeeper votes.
Lewis is one of the best shot-stopper’s in the league on his day and he’s helped Kevin Jones’ side on their way to many a vital point along their one-and-a-half year journey to date.
Sub: Lee Williams (Pentraeth Reserves) – 203 votes
For your second choice goalkeeper, you chose Pentraeth’s man between the sticks.
Williams has enjoyed a fine season with the new-look Reserves side managed by Danny Jones and Paul Matier. He’s earnt himself several Man of the Match awards along the way too.
———————————————————
MINE:
Kieran Weeks (Caergybi)
Cybi’s number one has been the finest goalkeeper in the league so far in my opinion.
With many Man of the Match awards, penalty stops and fine saves to his name, he’s certainly been a vital component within Caergybi’s unstoppable run of form of late.
Sub: Konner Druce (Bryngwran Bulls)
It was a tough choice between Druce and Weeks for number one spot in this team if I’m honest as they’ve both been superb.
Winger-turned-goalkeeper Druce has established himself as The Bulls’ number one ahead of last season’s Anglesey League Goalkeeper of the Season Lee Heywood, who signed in the summer.
——————————————————
DEFENDERS
YOURS:
Casey Williams (Caergybi) – 201 votes
Casey can play anywhere across the back-line as he has proven with Cybi. Predominantly a left back, he has barely missed a game for Dale Moffat’s side this season.
Liam Williams (Caergybi) – 221 votes
Casey’s brother Liam is another star turn in the Holyhead-based side. Despite spending last season as an attacking midfielder (and racking up over 60 assists!), Williams has played most games at centre back this time around and has been superb throughout.
Kris Dunne (Hotspur Reserves) – 198 votes
Hotspur’s second string have taken to the Anglesey League like a duck to water and Dunne has been a vital part of their success to date. A solid centre back who has popped with a few goals too.
Matthew Williams (Arriva Bangor) – 210 votes.
One of the best CB’s in the league without a doubt.
Williams is pivotal to Arriva’s starting eleven and is one of Kevin Jones’ first names on the team sheet.
Subs: Henry Caldecott (Cefni) – 186 votes, John Jones (Bryngwran Bulls) – 183 votes and Matt Williams (Pentraeth Reserves) – 171 votes.
MINE:
John Jones (Bryngwran Bulls)
Consistently brilliant for The Bulls, whether that be at full back or in the centre of defence.
He always gives 110% and rarely puts a foot wrong.
Grahame Jones (Cefni)
“Squeeze” as he’s known has been a huge part of Cefni’s success as a side in their debut season.
Captain, manager and centre back, he’s given 110% to the club this season.
Liam Williams (Caergybi)
See the YOURS category above ^^
Gary Winnard (Cefni)
Another brilliant performer within Cefni’s solid back line. Winnard has been a real joy to watch when bombing forward down the left hand side too and he’s one of the best full-back’s in the league in my opinion.
Subs: Matthew Williams (Arriva Bangor), Henry Caldecott (Cefni), Dion Evans (Valley) and Colm Foley (Caergybi)
——————————————-
MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS
YOURS:
Marc Wilson (Valley) – 322 votes
“Mr Valley” is now in his eleventh season with the club and can probably be regarded as an Anglesey League legend by now.
The 30-year-old is still a handful out wide and it’s no surprise to me to see that he’s been chosen by the public for this team.
Dylan Jones (Pentraeth Reserves) – 317 votes
A highly-talented youngster who can change a game with his vision and passing.
The 19-year-old, a product of the Tyn-Y-Gongl youth academy, has shown what he’s capable of for The Reserves this season and looks destined for great things in local football.
Dewi Thomas (Caergybi) – 272 votes
Cybi captain has been one of the best midfielders in the league for the last two seasons.
He’s got 10 goals to his name this season and will no doubt be an important player as Dale Moffat’s side search for silverware this season.
Casey Gregg (Hotspur Reserves) – 342 votes
Young winger who has been a star-turn in Hotspur’s second string this season.
The 18-year-old has scored five goals, but has also been very creative and looks menacing when running with the ball out wide.
Subs: Nik Kontodios (Bryngwran Bulls) – 272 votes, Ashley Beck (Caergybi) – 232 votes and Paul Williams (Valley) – 243 votes
MINE:
Dewi Thomas (Caergybi)
See YOURS above ^^
Matt Reynolds (Bryngwran Bulls)
Summer signing from Aberffraw who has really looked the part in Bryngwran’s dominant midfield.
He’s hit seven goals to date and has been exceptional at times for Richard Owen’s side.
Iolo Jones (Bryngwran Bulls)
Reynolds’ midfield partner and Bulls captain makes it into my team of the half season.
He’s the engine that drives his side forward and shows heart and desire in each and every game. A true captain.
Subs: Casey Gregg (Hotspur Reserves), Dave Webb (Caergybi), Marc Williams (Arriva Bangor) and Dylan Jones (Pentraeth Reserves)
ATTACKERS
YOURS:
Scott Hughes (Arriva Bangor) – 328 votes
Arriva’s main man makes it into the starting eleven thanks to bagging the most votes of any attacker.
The little forward has the ability to change games on his own and with 46 goals to his name in 2017/18 and 44 already this season, there’s no doubting that he’s a goal-scoring machine.
Jerome Sillence (Bryngwran Bulls) – 260 votes
Partnering him up top is Bryngwran’s new boy up top. Playing both out wide and central, Sillence has looked sharp, hitting 12 goals since moving from Llanerchymedd in the summer.
Subs: Craig Moore (Bryngwran Bulls) – 247 votes, James Ryan (Caergybi) – 220 votes, Matty Jones (Arriva Bangor) – 259 votes and Mike Williams (Valley) – 224 votes
MINE:
Craig Moore (Bryngwran Bulls)
My deadly trio begins with a man who was on fire in the first half of the season.
“Midge” belongs in a higher league, there’s no doubt about that, and The Bulls have been lucky to have him this season. 41 goals so far, despite missing a few games through injury, proves just how good he’s been in front of goal.
James Ryan (Caergybi)
The deadliest striker of them all and that’s why I’d play him central in between the other two.
Last season, Ryan finished as the second top scorer in the league on 52 goals behind Caergybi’s Gary Jo Owen. Since moving to Cybi himself, he’s harnessed even more goal-scoring prowess and currently sits on 55 for the season. He’ll be hoping that some more goals can fire Cybi to glory this season.
Scott Hughes (Arriva Bangor)
See YOURS above ^^
Subs: Ryan Rowlands (Cemaes Bay), Matty Roberts (Bryngwran Bulls) and Kenny Williams (Pentraeth Reserves)
Manager
YOURS:
Dan Jones (Valley)
The Valley boss pipped Arriva’s Kevin Jones to the post in the people’s poll. Dan is held in very high regard at the club for the hard work he has done there – particularly since being a coach for the past four years.
MINE:
Richard Owen (Bryngwran Bulls)
Tough one to call in the managers department as it all comes down to who wins what comes the end of the season.
However, if I had to call it now, I’d go for Bulls manager Richard Owen. His team are top of the league and remain in contention for EVERY cup, including the NWCFA Junior Cup, as it stands.
He has also managed to attract some top players to the club since the season started, including higher league players in the form of Matt Reynolds (Aberffraw), Jerome Sillence (Llanerchymedd), and Craig Moore (Trearddur Bay).
———————————————————-
So, to summarise, here’s your Team of the Half season:
And here’s mine …
Of course, the results may have been more of a popularity contest more than anything else and certain clubs will have shared the polls across Facebook more than others so that’s also a factor. At the end of the day, it’s all a bit of fun but I hope you all enjoyed it.
Keep an eye out for the official TEAM OF THE SEASON coming soon!
——————————————————————————-
AFEFootballNews 