The shortlist for April’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
Craig Harrison – The New Saints
Champions The New Saints finished the campaign with four consecutive wins in April, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three in the process. Craig Harrison’s team won 4-1 over Connah’s Quay Nomads on the final day to end 22 points clear at the summit.
Tony Pennock – Haverfordwest County
10 points earned from a possible 12 in April confirmed Haverfordwest County’s place at the top of the Play-Off Conference. Tony Pennock will now be targeting European qualification in the play-offs.
Andrew Stokes – Pontypridd United
An impressive phase two has led to Andrew Stokes winning the last two manager of the month awards and he staked a claim for a treble in April. Despite losing to Haverfordwest County, Pontypridd claimed crucial wins in their final two matches against Caernarfon Town and Flint Town United to secure survival.
Player of the Month
Josh Daniels – The New Saints
Craig Harrison has given Josh Daniels licence to play higher up the pitch in phase two and it has resulted in the Northern Irishman becoming a regular contributor in the final third for TNS. After registering assists against Penybont and Bala Town, he scored twice in the final day victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Jordan Davies – Haverfordwest County
Four goals in as many matches in April – including a brace against Airbus UK on the final day – saw Jordan Davies finish the season with 14 league goals, making him the top-scoring Welshman in the JD Cymru Premier for 2022/23.
Niall Flint – Aberystwyth Town
A constant threat in Aberystwyth Town’s attack, Niall Flint scored two crucial goals in April as the Seasiders survived relegation. He held his nerve to score an 86th-minute penalty to earn a crucial point against Airbus, before popping up with a 93rd-minute diving header on the final day to defeat Caernarfon and beat the drop.
Declan McManus – The New Saints
There was no stopping Declan McManus in the final month of the season as he cruised to the JD Cymru Premier golden boot in style. The Scot scored eight goals in four matches to finish the league season on a superb tally of 29.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Steve Evans – Colwyn Bay
After starting April with a 3-0 win over Penrhyncoch, Steve Evans’ Colwyn Bay side beat the Roosters again six days later to clinch the JD Cymru North title and promotion to the JD Cymru Premier. The Seagulls ended their magnificent season with a draw against Llandudno.
Nathan Leonard – Guilsfield
Guilsfield confirmed a fourth place finish in the JD Cymru North with four successive wins in April. A 3-0 win over fifth-place Ruthin Town was particularly impressive, while Nathan Leonard’s team also did not concede a single goal throughout the month.
Eddie Maurice-Jones – Gresford Athletic
After securing survival from relegation at the end of March, Gresford ended the season in strong form by picking up seven points from a possible nine. Eddie Maurice-Jones guided his team to wins over Porthmadog and Penrhyncoch either side of a draw against Chirk, lifting them to 10th in the table.
Player of the Month
Dan Atkins – Prestatyn Town
Four goals against Cefn Druids on the final day of the season ensured Dan Atkins finished as the joint top-scorer in the JD Cymru North, but his previous performances in April also earned plaudits. He also scored against Holywell Town and Llanidloes Town, while contributing an assist against Buckley Town.
Dominic Deacon – Gresford Athletic
Dominic Deacon has been almost an ever-present in attack for Gresford Athletic this season, an impressive feat considering he is still just 19 years old. He ended the season by scoring in all three of his appearances in April as the Colliers earned two wins and a draw.
Andy Ford – Guilsfield
Guilsfield ended the season as the in-form team in the JD Cymru North, winning all four of their matches in April, and veteran midfielder Andy Ford played a key part. He scored in the 3-0 win over Ruthin Town and was a consistent and solid presence for Guils.
Tom Hilditch – Prestatyn Town
Tom Hilditch was involved in at least one goal in each of his four games in April, contributing to over half of Prestatyn’s total of 15 goals. He scored braces against Buckley and Cefn Druids, scored once against Llanidloes and registered three assists across the month.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Mark Aizlewood – Carmarthen Town
Carmarthen Town confirmed a fourth-place finish in the JD Cymru South – one higher than last season – with 10 points from a possible 12 in April. Mark Aizlewood led his side to wins over Abergavenny Town, Trefelin and Ynyshir Albions, while drawing against Taffs Well.
Lee Kendall – Barry Town United
Having been crowned champions at the end of March, Barry Town United ended the season with three consecutive wins in April to finish 16 points clear at the summit. An 8-3 victory over Afan Lido was particularly impressive from Lee Kendall’s men.
Garry Taylor – Pontardawe Town
Pontardawe Town began April in the relegation zone with just four matches remaining, but Garry Taylor led his team to wins in all of those matches to secure an impressive ninth-place finish. Ponty thrashed eventual league runners-up Llanelli Town 4-0 away from home, before beating Trefelin, Ammanford and Taffs Well.
Player of the Month
Josh Dorward – Pontardawe Town
Josh Dorward had only scored three league goals all season before April, but he scored once in each of Pontardawe’s four wins last month as they secured survival. What is even more impressive is three of those goals came as a substitute.
Deacon Greening – Ynyshir Albions
Ynyshir Albions may have been relegated from the JD Cymru South, but they finished the season strongly with three wins from six games in April. Deacon Greening was at the heart of the action, as he contributed three goals and two assists – all against teams in the top half.
Lewis Reed – Pontardawe Town
After beginning the month with a stunning first half hat-trick against Llanelli Town, Lewis Reed went on to score against Trefelin and Taffs Well while also contributing an assist against the latter to help Ponty stay up.
Jay Thomas – Ammanford
After signing from Afan Lido in January, Jay Thomas scored his first goals for Ammanford in April as he found the net four times in five matches – including a brace to hand Llantwit Major their first defeat in three months.
