The shortlist for September’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
Neil Gibson – Connah’s Quay Nomads
Following an inconsistent August, it was a faultless September for Connah’s Quay Nomads as Neil Gibson led his side to six consecutive wins to keep pace with league leaders The New Saints. The Flintshire outfit scored at least three goals in five of those victories.
Craig Harrison – The New Saints
Reigning JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints are the only side left unbeaten this season, winning five and drawing one of their matches in September. No side scored more goals last month than Craig Harrison’s men (23), who sit two points clear at the top of the table.
Chris Hughes – Newtown
Newtown started September with just one point from four matches and only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, but a remarkable turnaround sees them now sit in third place. Chris Hughes led the Robins to six consecutive wins last month, while they kept a clean sheet in four of those.
Player of the Month
Ben Clark – The New Saints
Consistently an attacking threat from midfield, Ben Clark contributed five goals and two assists in September as The New Saints continued to set the pace in the JD Cymru Premier. Clark saved his best performance until the end of the month when he netted a brilliant double in a 4-0 win over Pontypridd United.
Jordan Davies – Connah’s Quay Nomads
It has been a seamless return to Connah’s Quay Nomads for Jordan Davies, who is currently the JD Cymru Premier’s top scorer with nine goals. Six of those came in September to help his team win every game, including braces against both Barry Town United and Penybont.
Dom Smith – Newtown
A summer arrival from Alfreton Town, Dom Smith has made an instant impact at the heart of the Newtown defence. The former Cymru U21 international helped his team keep four clean sheets in six games in September, while also providing a pinpoint assist for Ryan Sears’ opener in the victory over Cardiff Met.
Aaron Williams – Newtown
While Smith has been helping to keep the goals out at one end for Newtown, Aaron Williams has been busy scoring at the other. He netted six times in September, including braces against Haverfordwest County and Barry Town United. In only one game did he fail to score.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Lee Fowler – Flint Town United
An instant return to the JD Cymru Premier is clearly the target for Flint Town United and they remain unbeaten in the JD Cymru North this season. September saw Lee Fowler’s side earn wins over Caersws and Chirk AAA, while holding Flintshire rivals Holywell Town to a 1-1 draw.
Johnny Haseldin – Holywell Town
Hollywell Town’s strong start to the season continued into September with two wins and a draw, meaning they remain unbeaten in the JD Cymru North so far. A 4-0 win over Prestatyn Town took Johnny Haseldin’s side top of the table before a draw with Flint and a win over Caersws.
Steve Monk – Mold Alexandra
Mold Alexandra continue to hold their own in the JD Cymru North and they ended September in fourth place following three consecutive wins. Steve Monk’s side defeated Chirk AAA, Guilsfield and Buckley Town – all by three goal margins.
Player of the Month
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro – Flint Town United
The experience of Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro could prove crucial in Flint Town United’s promotion bid and he showed his worth with a series of dominant performances in September. He scored in all three of the Silkmen’s matches, including keeping his cool to net a 96th-minute penalty to earn a 1-1 draw against Holywell.
Shaun Cavanagh – Porthmadog
After failing to find the net in his first four league games back at Porthmadog, Shaun Cavanagh kickstarted his season with a prolific September – netting five goals in three matches. That tally included braces in the wins over Gresford Athletic and Denbigh Town.
Jake Roberts – Mold Alexandra
Jake Roberts has introduced himself in style to Mold Alexandra’s fans following his summer move from Buckley Town, scoring in all three of his appearances so far. Following a brace on his debut against Chirk AAA, he also found the net in wins over Guilsfield and former club Buckley.
Matthew Worrall – Denbigh Town
After scoring 19 goals in the third tier last season, Matthew Worrall has hit the ground running in the JD Cymru North following Denbigh Town’s promotion. He contributed four goals and two assists in September, including being involved in half of his side’s goals in the chaotic 6-5 victory over Buckley Town.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Gruff Harrison – Ammanford
Having struggled in the bottom half of the JD Cymru South last season, Ammanford have proved to be a surprise package this season. They finished September in third place – level on points with leaders Briton Ferry – following 3-1 wins over Cambrian & Clydach Vale and Pontardawe Town.
Laurie Marsh – Goytre United
Following Karl Lewis’ departure as Goytre United boss in mid-September, assistant manager Laurie Marsh took the reigns and led the club to a pair of impressive 1-0 wins against high-flying Ammanford and Cambrian & Clydach Vale. Not a bad audition for the full-time job.
Dean Wheeler – Caerau Ely
Caerau Ely were only outside of the JD Cymru South relegation zone on goal difference at the start of September, but they kick started their season with two wins from three matches. Dean Wheeler’s side were 3-0 winners against Goytre United and 4-1 winners away at Llantwit Major.
Player of the Month
Ryan Bevan – Llanelli Town
A consistently reliable presence for Llanelli Town, Ryan Bevan keeps things ticking over in midfield for the Reds. The 21-year-old is yet to miss a minute of league action so far this season and he impressed in September, earning the Man of the Match award against Baglan Dragons and contributing two assists in the 5-1 win over Abergavenny Town.
Noah Daley – Carmarthen Town
2022/23’s JD Cymru South Young Player of the Season found his form again in September, scoring three goals in three matches as Carmarthen Town remained unbeaten throughout the month. His best performance came in the 3-3 draw against Afan Lido when he found the net twice.
Kyran Gardner – Goytre United
After being left on the bench for Goytre’s 3-0 defeat to Caerau Ely at the start of September, Kyran Gardner came back into the side following Karl Lewis’ departure and helped the defence keep clean sheets in the wins over Ammanford and Cambrian & Clydach Vale. He also provided the assist for Jordan Edwards’ winner against the Cam Army.
Lewis Reed – Ammanford
By now a proven goalscorer in the JD Cymru South, Lewis Reed has continued to bang them in since his summer move to Ammanford. He added three to his tally in September – putting his side ahead in the 3-1 win over Cambrian & Clydach Vale before netting a decisive brace in the 3-1 win against his former club Pontardawe Town.
