The winners of April’s Player and Manager of the Month awards across the JD Cymru Leagues have been confirmed.
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.
Player of the Month
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
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.
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.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
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.
Player of the Month
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.
