PICTURE by Gareth Hughes shows Will Evans (in white) in action v Standard Liege in the UEFA Europa League.
IT’S ALMOST hard to believe we’re already four or five (depending on which club you follow) matches into the 20/21 JD Cymru Premier campaign already isn’t it?
As always, there’s been plenty of goals, plenty of drama and plenty of entertainment in Wales’ top-flight. And, with September already having been and gone, I’m pleased to announce that I have selected none other than Bala Town’s Will Evans as my Player of the Month for the opening month of the new campaign.
Evans, who arrived from Cardiff Met over the summer, has been a brilliant addition to Colin Caton’s side. Of course, he was brilliant in their UEFA Europa League campaign, helping the club claim a famous 1-0 victory over Valletta in Malta in Qualifying Round One – the club’s first ever away win in Europe – on what was his official debut. He then shone again in the 2-0 loss to European giants Standard Liege, who have now qualified for the competition’s group stage.
But in terms of Cymru Premier games alone, he has really stood out head and shoulders above the rest at times. A promising debut against current league champions Connah’s Quay (1-1 on the opening day) set him on his way to an even better few games that followed.
He scored his first goal for the club in the 2-1 home win over Cefn Druids on September 20 and it was a fine one at that. A great ball whipped into the box found the 23-year-old unmarked and he fired home with a great side-footed finish.
The next game, on September 26, saw Evans add a further two goals to his collection during a 5-1 win at Penybont. With his side 1-0 down at the break, Evans inspired the second half comeback with his two goals the first and second to go in for his side on the day respectively. His final contribution in September came via another tireless performance in the 2-2 draw against The New Saints on September 30 (which ended abruptly due to the floodlights failing in the 87th minute).
For me, Evans has really stepped it up a gear since moving to Maes Tegid. Through my work covering Bala Town for the Denbighshire Free Press (which is part of my day job), I have spoken to the player recently who said a move to Bala over the summer was one ‘he couldn’t turn down’, especially given the opportunity to play in Europe so quickly after signing.
Bala boss Colin Caton has also told me he’s ‘long been an admirer’ of Evans and it’s not hard to see why. His work-rate in the middle is simply incredible and the fact that he’s already adding goals to his game at Bala shows just how quickly he’s settled in.
Long may his performances continue. Da iawn Will!
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