The shortlist for December’s Player and Manager of the Month awards in the JD Cymru Leagues has been confirmed.
The fans’ vote will be combined with a league and independent voting panel to determine the winners.
JD Cymru Premier
Manager of the Month
Colin Caton – Bala Town
With phase one drawing to a close, December was a crucial month for Bala Town as they secured their spot in the Championship Conference for phase two. Colin Caton’s team won three of their four matches – including against fellow top half challengers Penybont and Newtown – to end the month in third place.
Neil Gibson – Connah’s Quay Nomads
An emphatic 7-0 win over Barry Town United at the start of December – which confirmed a spot in the JD Cymru Premier top six for phase two – set the tone for another strong month for Connah’s Quay Nomads. Neil Gibson also led his team to victories over Pontypridd United and Newtown, with no top-flight side scoring more goals than the Nomads last month.
Craig Harrison – The New Saints
The New Saints’ quest for a 16th JD Cymru Premier continued to gather pace in December as Craig Harrison’s team earned four consecutive victories to extend their winning run in the league to 14 matches. A 4-0 win away at closest rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads meant TNS ended the month 12 points clear at the top of the table.
Player of the Month
Eliot Evans – Cardiff Met
For so long a talismanic force in the heart of Cardiff Met’s midfield, Eliot Evans reminded fans of his role as match-winner in both of his side’s two victories in December. His brace set the Archers on the road to a 4-2 win over Aberystwyth Town at the start of the month, before he struck the only goal in a crucial 1-0 victory against fellow top six side Bala Town.
Ryan Harrington – Connah’s Quay Nomads
A marauding presence down the left hand side of Connah’s Quay Nomads’ team this season, Ryan Harrington continued to be an influential presence at both ends of the pitch in December. The full-back grabbed a goal in the 7-0 win over Barry Town United while also contributing towards the clean sheet, before providing assists in the wins over Pontypridd United and Newtown.
Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County
Shot into the spotlight by his penalty heroics in Europe last summer, Zac Jones has continued to stand out as one of the JD Cymru Premier’s best goalkeepers this season. In December he earned clean sheets against Caernarfon Town and Barry Town United and made crucial saves throughout the month to help keep Haverfordwest County’s top six hopes alive.
Josh Pask – The New Saints
Having been in and out of The New Saints’ team for most of the season, Josh Pask nailed down his spot in the starting line-up in December and played every minute as the league leaders won all four matches. Pask played a key role in keeping clean sheets in three of those games, while also contributing with goals against Penybont and Connah’s Quay Nomads.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Mark Allen – Airbus UK Broughton
After 3-2 win over Chirk AAA at the start of December took Airbus UK Broughton to the top of the JD Cymru North table, a total of 10 points throughout the month – no side picked up more – ensured that Mark Allen’s side finished 2023 at the summit. A 2-1 victory away at fellow title challengers Holywell Town could prove particularly crucial.
Lee Fowler – Flint Town United
Flint Town United remain the only unbeaten side in the JD Cymru North this season and Lee Fowler’s men were the only team with a perfect record in December as they won all three of their matches – against Porthmadog, Bangor 1876 and Llandudno – while scoring a league-high 12 goals and conceding just two.
Michael Johnston – Bangor 1876
Bangor 1876 have impressed this season following promotion from the Ardal North West and they continued to hold their own in December with three wins from four matches. Michael Johnston led his team to victory against Buckley Town, Guilsfield and Porthmadog as they rose to sixth in the table in the process.
Player of the Month
Corrig McGonigle – Bangor 1876
December was another prolific month for the JD Cymru North’s top scorer Corrig McGonigle, who netted in all four of Bangor 1876’s matches. He ended 2023 with 15 goals in 15 games in the second tier, having made the step up from the Ardal North West look seamless.
Elliott Reeves – Flint Town United
Elliott Reeves quickly settled into life at Flint Town United following his move from Mickleover Sports last summer, proving a constant threat in attack as the Silkmen attempt to make an immediate return to the JD Cymru Premier. He made a goal contribution in each of his side’s three wins in December, scoring twice and providing one assist.
Sam Rickett – Airbus UK Broughton
Having signed for Airbus UK Broughton for the second half of last season, Sam Rickett has come into his own since the club’s relegation to the JD Cymru North and has proved crucial as they aim to return to the top-flight at the first attempt. He continued to keep things ticking over in midfield in December as the Wingmakers picked up 10 points and went top of the table.
Danny Warren – Mold Alexandra
Mold Alexandra continue to hold their own at the top end of the JD Cymru North table, with number nine Danny Warren spearheading their attack. The striker took his tally to 10 for the season by the end of December by netting three goals in three matches, while also contributing three assists.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Mark Aizlewood – Carmarthen Town
No team in the JD Cymru South picked up more points in December than Carmarthen Town, who earned seven from three matches to as they attempt to keep pace in the title race. Back-to-back wins against Abergavenny Town preceded a 1-1 draw away at hard-to-beat Pontardawe Town on Boxing Day.
Andy Dyer – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Having started December in second place on goal difference, Briton Ferry Llansawel ended the calendar year five points clear at the top of the table after winning both of their two matches last month. Andy Dyer’s team triumphed 3-2 over Cwmbran Celtic on home turf before travelling to neighbours Baglan Dragons and winning 2-1.
Gruff Harrison – Ammanford
Ammanford have proven themselves tough to beat this season and they ended 2023 on a seven-match unbeaten streak after picking up two draws and a win from three games in December. After being held by Trefelin and Baglan Dragons, Gruff Harrison’s side claimed an impressive scalp on Boxing Day as they won 2-1 away at title challengers Llanelli Town.
Player of the Month
Alex Bonthron – Cwmbran Celtic
Alex Bonthron scores goals. It’s as simple as that. Only Luke Bowen has netted more in the JD Cymru South this season than the Cwmbran Celtic striker, who added four to his tally in three matches in December. That included a dramatic 87th-minute winner in a topsy-turvy 3-2 victory against Cambrian & Clydach Vale.
Tom Davies – Baglan Dragons
December may have been a tricky month for Baglan Dragons results-wise, but forward Tom Davies certainly found form as he netted four goals in three matches. His standout display came away at Goytre United, where he scored two late goals to drag his side from 3-0 down to the brink of a famous comeback.
Liam McCreesh – Afan Lido
Still a constant threat in Afan Lido’s attack at the age of 38, Liam McCreesh took his league goal tally to nine for the season with three in as many games in December. After scoring both of his side’s goals in a 2-2 draw against Taffs Well, the veteran forward netted late on in the 2-1 defeat to Trefelin.
Lewis Reed – Ammanford
When Ammanford need a hero, they turn to Lewis Reed. The 22-year-old provided decisive contributions in two of his side’s three matches in December, netting the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Trefelin before popping up with a remarkable 93rd-minute winner to complete 2-1 comeback win away at Llanelli Town.
