PICTURE by Amlwch Town FC.
TODAY’S focus is on one of the most prolific and consistent Anglesey-based goal scorers of the 2000’s – Asa Thomas.
Many defenders fear him and many others rate him as one of the best they’ve ever played with and it’s not hard to see why.
In just under a decade, the 28-year-old has racked up more than 450 goals across different levels of the Welsh Pyramid.
The forward first rose to prominence in 2010/11 – when he hit an unprecedented 112 goals in just 47 appearances during ONE SEASON with Trearddur Bay United in the Anglesey League. That ridiculous total included 25 hat-trick as The Bay picked up a cup quadruple (Anglesey League, Dargie Cup, Megan Cup and Thomas & Williams Cup).
His form in that incredible record-breaking season saw him hit national headlines and him a call-up to Wales’ team for the UEFA Regional Cup tournament in Macedonia.
In the following season, Thomas switched allegiances to Holyhead Hotpsur, who were then as they are now in the Welsh Alliance, and bagged 19 goals before making a return to Trearddur Bay. He added another 22 goals upon his return to the Gwynedd League.
In 2012/13, he moved to another Holyhead-based side – the now defunct Morawelon FC, who had just won the Anglesey League and the NWCFA Junior Cup in their first campaign as a club. He would go on to provide 97 goals in two seasons before the club were forced to fold.
At Sunday League level in 2013, he helped Bryngwran Bulls onto Cup double success, helping them win the league and league cup by scoring 39 goals in 18 games and finishing as top scorer.
Next up for the lethal forward was a brief stint with Gaerwen FC, who were a struggling Welsh Alliance Two team at the time. Nevertheless, he once again continued his rich vein of form with 22 goals.
His love affair with Trearddur Bay was then re-ignited with another return to the club. The 2015/16 season was a memorable one for both Thomas and everyone else involved at The Bay as he hit 48 goals and the club marched on to win the Welsh Alliance One title.
In 2016/17, he played for both Trearddur Bay and Holyhead Hotspur, netting a further 26 goals, then moved to join Holyhead Town in 2017/18.
His move to The Harbourmen, who his father Jimmy had also previously played for, saw him win the Gwynedd League for the first time as he netted 45 goals in what was another remarkable campaign. In Welsh Alliance Two last season, he proved to be the star man once more, contributing more than 20 goals.
Fast forward to today and the incredible Thomas is showing no signs of drying up in front of goal. He’s currently on 18 goals for the season (including two for Holyhead Town Reserves) and is once again proving to be one of the best strikers on the island.
His partnership with close friend and fellow prolific scorer and club captain Gary Jo Owen is proving to be the difference for Derek Thomas’ side. Having previously played alongside one another at Morawelon and Gaerwen, the pair know each other’s game very well and have the ability to tear defences to pieces at times.
I’m sure that, between them, they will be looking to hit way more than 50 goals between them come May time – seeing as they’re already more than half way there.
There’s no doubt that Thomas has proven to be one of Anglesey’s greatest goalscorers of the 21st century and he’s admired by many coaches, fans and players alike for his talents.
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