The shortlist for July/August’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
It was a summer of change at Bala Town with plenty of movement in the transfer market, but there have been no early teething problems. Colin Caton led the Lakesiders through an unbeaten August, picking up eight points from a possible 12 while only conceding one goal. A 1-0 victory over last season’s runners-up Connah’s Quay Nomads was the highlight.
Richard Davies – Caernarfon Town
After being appointed as Caernarfon’s permanent boss in the summer, Richard Davies oversaw an impressive start to the season that saw the Cofis sit second in the table at the end of August. They went through the month unbeaten, winning 4-0 against Colwyn Bay on the opening weekend before beating Newtown and drawing with Haverfordwest and Bala.
Rhys Griffiths – Penybont
Fresh from their first ever European campaign, Penybont started the new league season in strong form as they picked up eight points from the first 12 matches and only conceded once. They began with victories over last season’s European play-off finalists Newtown and Haverfordwest before goalless draws against Pontypridd United and Cardiff Met.
Player of the Month
Sion Bradley – Caernarfon Town
While Sion Bradley’s only statistical return in August came in the form of an assist against Colwyn Bay on the opening weekend, that does not present the full picture of the influence he has on this Caernarfon Town team. The majority of the Cofis’ attacking moves go through the Cymru C international, who is a consistent performer in midfield.
Adrian Cieslewicz – The New Saints
The New Saints picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in August and Adrian Cieslewicz proved vital in doing so. He kicked the season off with two goals and an assist in the 6-2 win over Connah’s Quay Nomads, before scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Colwyn Bay. He took the captain’s armband against Pontypridd too, showcasing his experience.
Jordan Davies – Connah’s Quay Nomads
No player in the JD Cymru Premier scored more goals in August than Jordan Davies, who netted three times in four games to make a seamless return to Connah’s Quay Nomads after his summer move from Haverfordwest County. His standout performance came at the end of the month, when a goal and an assist helped beat Newtown 3-1.
Emlyn Lewis – Cardiff Met
In amongst the goalscorers, it is easy to forget about those at the other end of the pitch but the whole Cardiff Met backline could have been in contention for this award after the Archers did not concede a single goal in August. Emlyn Lewis stood out with several vital interceptions and blocks, giving Met a strong foundation to build on.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Mark Allen – Airbus UK Broughton
Airbus endured a miserable season in the JD Cymru Premier last season, but the appointment of Mark Allen in the summer has rejuvenated the club. The Wingmakers began the JD Cymru North campaign with five wins from five matches, scoring 15 goals in the process.
Mark Griffiths – Caersws
After claiming the Ardal North East title last season, Caersws have adjusted brilliantly to life in the second tier and they sat third in the JD Cymru North table at the end of August. Mark Griffiths’ team picked up 10 points from their first five matches, with a 4-0 win over Mold Alexandra and 5-1 away victory at Prestatyn Town particularly impressive.
Johnny Haseldin – Holywell Town
Holywell Town pushed Colwyn Bay all the way for the JD Cymru North title last season and they look set to challenge again this term. Johnny Haseldin guided his side to victory in all four of their opening matches while only conceding twice. Following a 22-match winning run last season, how long will this streak last?
Player of the Month
Jake Cooke – Holywell Town
A nominee for the 2022/23 JD Cymru North Player of the Season, Jake Cooke has continued his impressive form into the new campaign. The flying wing-back is a constant threat down the flank and after missing the opening weekend of the season he had contributed four goals in three matches by the end of August.
Jake Eyre – Airbus UK Broughton
Jake Eyre scored 24 goals across his previous two JD Cymru North campaigns, so it is perhaps no surprise that he has hit the ground running in 2023/24. The Airbus forward has five goals and two assists in five matches so far, with a late brace to complete a 2-1 comeback win against Llandudno proving particularly important.
Rhys Hesden – Caersws
A summer signing from JD Cymru Premier club Newtown, Rhys Hesden has made a strong start to life at Caersws with four goals and two assists in five league matches. Capable of playing out wide or in the centre of the attack, the 20-year-old has added a clinical edge to the Bluebirds’ attacking following their promotion.
Corrig McGonigle – Bangor 1876
After scoring 37 goals in the Ardal North West last season, it has been no surprise to see Corrig McGonigle make the step up to the second tier seem effortless. The Bangor 1876 scored a hat-trick on the opening weekend against Llanidloes Town before adding a brace against Llandudno 10 days later. He finished August on seven goals from five matches.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Carl Clement – Baglan Dragons
While last season’s tier three champions have struggled so far in the JD Cymru South, it is play-off winners Baglan Dragons who have made the best impact out of the newly-promoted clubs. Carl Clement’s side did not lose any of their opening five matches, winning three and drawing two. Even more impressively, all of those victories came away from home.
Paul Evans – Afan Lido
Six straight defeats to end last season may have been a worry for Afan Lido, but Paul Evans has swiftly made that a distant memory after picking up 13 points from a possible 15 at the start of the new campaign. A 4-2 win over previously unbeaten Ammanford was the standout result.
Andy Hill – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Briton Ferry Llansawel ended August as the only club left with a perfect record in the JD Cymru South after winning all of their five opening games. Andy Hill’s side have not looked back since beating last season’s runners-up Llanelli Town on the opening weekend, averaging 3.6 goals per game.
Player of the Month
Alex Bonthron – Cwmbran Celtic
Alex Bonthron has found a knack for delivering at important moments in the opening weeks of the season. After netting in Cwmbran Celtic’s 3-2 win over Goytre United, he scored both in the 2-1 victory against Llantwit Major before keeping his cool to convert a 101st minute penalty to earn a 3-3 draw against Baglan Dragons.
Sean Cronin – Llanelli Town
While Sean Cronin catches the eye as a goalscoring centre-back – his four against Llantwit Major simply couldn’t go unnoticed – he remains crucial to Llanelli Town’s defensive set up and played an important part in the Reds picking up 12 points from a possible 15 by the end of August.
Kris Evans – Briton Ferry Llansawel
The rock at the heart of Briton Ferry’s defence, Kris Evans Impressed in his team’s four opening fixtures as they kept a clean sheet every time before being absent as they shipped three against Caerau Ely. That was not just a coincidence and Evans also popped up with two goals in August too.
Tom Walters – Briton Ferry Llansawel
It has been an electric start to the season for Tom Walters, who has scored in all five of his appearances – including a brace against Taffs Well. Add in four assists and a thriving partnership with Luke Bowen and Briton Ferry’s attack is going to be very difficult to stop this season.
