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
Rhys Griffiths – Penybont
After a third place finish last season, it has not been the campaign Penybont would have hoped for but a faultless final month ensured they will compete for a European place in the play-offs. Rhys Griffiths’ side won all three of their games without conceding a goal, including a crucial 1-0 victory over Haverfordwest County on the final day to leapfrog the Bluebirds and clinch that crucial seventh place.
Craig Harrison – The New Saints
Despite having secured the JD Cymru Premier title in March, there was no let up from The New Saints in April as they won all four matches to end the season with 26 consecutive league wins. A 7-1 thrashing of Caernarfon Town was the highlight, while a 2-0 win over Connah’s Quay Nomads on the final day ensured Craig Harrison’s men went the whole league campaign unbeaten.
Scott Ruscoe – Newtown
Form and home advantage could prove crucial in the European play-offs and Newtown will have both after ending the season with seven points from three games in April to secure fourth place. After a 1-1 draw away at Bala Town, Scott Ruscoe guided his side to an emphatic 5-0 win against Caernarfon Town before they triumphed 3-1 away at Cardiff Met on the final day.
Player of the Month
George Hughes – Newtown
A quietly consistent performer in the centre of midfield for Newtown, George Hughes did not miss a minute for the Robins in April as they earned seven points from a possible nine to finish fourth in the table. He also chipped in with a goal in the 5-0 win over Caernarfon Town as he unleashed a fierce low strike from the edge of the box.
Declan McManus – The New Saints
It has not been the easiest campaign for Declan McManus as he was sidelined with injury and then kept out of the TNS side by Brad Young, but the Scot started all four games in April and delivered five goals. He scored braces against Caernarfon Town and Cardiff Met, either side of contributing a goal and an assist against Bala Town.
Harry Owen – Colwyn Bay
Despite Colwyn Bay’s relegation, Harry Owen has impressed for the Seagulls on loan from Connah’s Quay Nomads. In April, the 20-year-old helped his side keep clean sheets in the victories over Aberystwyth Town and Barry Town United, while also scoring the winning goal to defeat the Seasiders.
Chris Venables – Penybont
He may be turning 39 years old this summer, but Chris Venables is not slowing down in front of goal. The JD Cymru Premier’s record appearance holder netted five goals in three games in April to secure a play-off spot for Penybont – bagging braces against Aberystwyth Town and Pontypridd United before grabbing the decisive goal in the crucial final day win over Haverfordwest County.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Dave Evans – Ruthin Town
Having stepped up from the position of assistant manager in March, Dave Evans has made an unbeaten start to life as Ruthin Town boss and picked up seven points from a possible nine in April. After a 4-0 win over Prestatyn Town, Evans’ side drew 1-1 with Holywell Town to end the Wellmen’s 14-match winning streak and finished the season with a 3-0 victory away at fourth-place Mold Alexandra.
Lee Fowler – Flint Town United
Flint Town United were the only side in the JD Cymru North with a perfect record in April as Lee Fowler’s men earned five consecutive victories to finish second in the table and win promotion back to the JD Cymru Premier at the first time of asking. The Silkmen scored 19 goals in the process, 10 of which came across two games against Mold Alexandra.
Johnny Haseldin – Holywell Town
They may have been denied a place in the JD Cymru Premier, but Holywell Town still finished the campaign strongly to clinch the JD Cymru North title. Johnny Haseldin’s men picked up 10 points from a possible 12, scoring 10 goals and conceding just once, to finish their league season on an 18-match unbeaten run.
Player of the Month
Sol Forde – Flint Town United
A crucial part of Flint Town United’s promotion-winning side from defence, Sol Forde found a goalscoring streak to end the season as he netted five times in five matches in April. The teenager also contributed to three clean sheets, so the Silkmen will be keen to keep him beyond this season after his loan spell from Chester ends.
Jamie Jones – Caersws
Caersws finished the season in strong form with seven points from a possible nine and full-back Jamie Jones played an important part. Having not found the net all season, Jones scored three goals in as many games, including twice in the 3-2 win away at Llandudno and then one against Llanidloes Town in their final game of the campaign.
Vita Mbolokele – Ruthin Town
An unsung hero in defence for Ruthin Town throughout the season, Vita Mbolokele continued his fine form into the final month of the campaign as his side picked up seven points from a possible nine. The 27-year-old played a key role in keeping clean sheets against Prestatyn Town and Mold Alexandra which helped Ruthin to victory.
Elliott Reeves – Flint Town United
It has been a sensational first season at Flint Town United for Elliott Reeves, whose goals have fired the Silkmen back to the JD Cymru Premier. He hit eight in five games in March – including a four-goal haul against Mold Alexandra – to take his tally to 30 in the league for the season and claim the golden boot.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Andy Dyer – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Last month will live long in the memory for Briton Ferry Llansawel as they clinched the JD Cymru South title and promotion to the JD Cymru Premier. After a 3-0 away win at Trefelin, it was a 4-0 home triumph over third-place Ammanford that secured top spot for Andy Dyer’s side before they ended the campaign by beating runners-up Llanelli Town 5-2.
James Kinsella – Cwmbran Celtic
James Kinsella will depart Cwmbran Celtic this summer and he ended his time at the club in the best possible way by picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in April. Following a 3-3 draw away at Pontardawe Town, Celtic finished the season with three consecutive wins and scored 13 goals in the process.
Dean Wheeler – Caerau Ely
It has been a superb first season back in the JD Cymru South for Caerau Ely and Dean Wheeler’s side ended the campaign with four wins from five games in April to clinch a fifth-place finish. The Young Guns scored 16 goals across the month, meaning that only Briton Ferry and Llanelli netted more than them throughout the whole campaign.
Player of the Month
Jack Ashford – Caerau Ely
Jack Ashford has led by example as captain of Caerau Ely this season and he finished the campaign off in fine form as the Young Guns clinched fifth place in the JD Cymru South. Ashford scored three goals in five games against Afan Lido, Abertillery Bluebirds and Abergavenny while also contributing two assists.
Alex Bonthron – Cwmbran Celtic
It has been a remarkable season in front of goal for Alex Bonthron, who clinched the JD Cymru South golden boot with a brace on the final day of the season against Goytre United. It took his tally to 30 for the season and nine in April alone, after a four-goal haul against Abergavenny, two against Trefelin and one against Pontardawe Town.
Luke Bowen – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Another fine goalscoring season is complete for Luke Bowen, whose tally of 29 helped fire Briton Ferry to promotion. Undoubtedly his highlight of April was scoring all four goals in the 4-0 win over Ammanford which clinched the JD Cymru South title, while he also bagged a final day hat-trick against Llanelli Town and a penalty in a 3-0 victory against Trefelin.
Eduardo Bregua – Goytre United
Having mostly been used as a substitute for the first few months of his loan spell from Penybont, 18-year-old Eduardo Bregua established himself as a key figure in Goytre United’s side in April. He opened his account for the club with a stunning volley in the win over Llanelli Town, also found the net against Cwmbran Celtic and delivered a man-of-the-match display against Llantwit Major.
