The shortlist for the July and August 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
Penybont ended August top of the JD Cymru Premier table on goal difference with a 2-1 win over Bala Town on the last weekend, building on victories over Aberystwyth Town and newcomers Briton Ferry Llansawel. Thanks to to goalless draws by Haverfordwest County and Penybont, Rhys Griffiths’ side have conceded just two goals in five games.
Ryan Jenkins – Cardiff Met
It’s been an impressive start to the campaign for Ryan Jenkins with his Cardiff Met side bouncing-back from their play-off semi-final defeat at the end of last season to take 11 points from five games and remain undefeated. A 2-1 win over UEFA Conference League participants Caernarfon Town at the end of August headlines their achievements so far this season.
Tony Pennock – Haverfordwest County
While Tony Pennock and his Haverfordwest County side would have preferred the distraction of European football this summer, concentrating their efforts into the domestic game has reaped rewards with an undefeated start, culminating with a convincing 3-0 win over Newtown last weekend. They have only dropped points with two draws against the two teams currently above them in the table.
Player of the Month
Lee Jenkins – Haverfordwest County
Lee Jenkins has played every minute of every game in all competitions for Haverfordwest County this season, and showed his additional value with a goal in the 3-0 win over Newtown. The Cymru C international, still only 23, appears set for another impressive campaign on his early season form.
George Newell – Bala Town
The scorer of both goals in the 2-0 win over Flint Town United to add to his strike in the 1-1 draw at Barry Town United on the opening weekend of the JD Cymru Premier season, George Newell also got an assist in the 2-0 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel meaning he has contributed to four of Bala’s six league goals so far this season.
Adam Przybek – Penybont
The former Cymru U21 international has firmly-established himself as key player for Penybont. Ever-present as his side sit top of the JD Cymru Premier table, Adam Przybek has quickly become one of the highest-rated goalkeepers in the domestic top-flight and kept three consecutive clean sheets to kick off the season.
Ryan Reynolds – Cardiff Met
Four goals from the opening six games in all competitions has quickly-ensured that Ryan Reynolds has endeared himself to the Cardiff Met faithful after switching from Penybont in the summer. Reynolds has been a vital contributor to their undefeated start to the campaign and his goals have been impressive strikes too.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Mark Allen – Airbus UK Broughton
Not to waste a pun, Airbus UK Broughton are indeed flying high at the top of the JD Cymru North table with a perfect record of six victories from their opening six league games. A 7-0 victory over Denbigh Town on the opening day set the tone, with Mark Allen’s men scoring 22 goals so far and conceding just two.
Mike Johnston – Bangor 1876
Despite suffering two 4-1 defeats, Bangor 1876 are continuing to challenge at the top end of JD Cymru North having accumulated 12 points so far. An impressive 4-0 victory over Colwyn Bay on the opening weekend offered plenty of optimism, while Mike Johnston’s side ended August with 2-0 and 3-0 victories over Llandudno and Llay Welfare respectively to climb to third in the table.
Michael Wilde – Colwyn Bay
Despite the setback of that heavy defeat to Bangor 1876 on the opening day, Michael Wilde’s side have shown a positive response with three wins and two draws from their subsequent five fixtures in the JD Cymru North. An impressive 2-0 win over Holywell Town in the first week of August proving to be their best result of the campaign to date.
Player of the Month
Mason Blackwell-Jones – Bangor 1876
A goalscorer in that 4-0 opening day win over Colwyn Bay, Mason Blackwell-Jones has been a consistent performer for Bangor 1876 this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists. In fact, the 22-year-old has already doubled his league goal tally for the whole of last season.
Jamie Breese – Holywell Town
With four goals to his name before August, Jamie Breese is already proving himself to be a pivotal player for Holywell Town yet again this season. The 32-year old found the back of the net 22 times in the JD Cymru North last season, and already has seven goals in the current campaign.
Joe Haycock – Guilsfield
With five goals and three assists in the JD Cymru North so far this season, Joe Haycock is already showing plenty of versatility to his game as his Guilsfield side ended August with three consecutive victories over Bangor 1876, Prestatyn Town and Ruthin Town.
Danny Warren – Airbus UK Broughton
After two prolific seasons in the JD Cymru North with Mold Alexandra, Danny Warren made the switch to Airbus in the summer and has hit the ground running with seven goals and three assists in six league games so far. His best performance came in the 7-0 win over Denbigh Town on the opening day as he scored twice and provided two assists.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Mark Dunford – Trethomas Bluebirds
The only undefeated team in the JD Cymru South come the end of August, newly-promoted Trethomas Bluebirds have proved themselves to be the surprise package this season, scoring 14 goals in the opening six games. Mark Dunford’s side earned 14 points from a possible 18, only denied a maximum tally by conceding late equalisers against Trefelin and Caerau Ely.
Andy Hill – Trefelin
Trefelin made a big statement in the summer with the arrival of former Swansea City stars Lee Trundle and Shaun MacDonald together with Charlie Corsby from Cardiff Met, and they now sit second in the JD Cymru South table having suffered just one defeat against Pontypridd United at the start of August. Andy Hill has put together a talented squad to match the higher ambitions of the Port Talbot-based club.
Sam Houldsworth – Newport City
Many predicted Newport city to make an impression on the JD Cymru South this season following their promotion to tier and they have enjoyed a solid start in their new environment. A 3-1 win over Ammanford in their opening league game set a high standard for Sam Houldsworth’s team and they ended August in fourth place after just one defeat in six matches.
Player of the Month
Noah Daley – Carmarthen Town
Consistency has been key for Noah Daley this season, as he has registered a goal contribution in all five of his JD Cymru South appearances so far – four goals and one assist. Now Carmarthen Town captain, the 22-year-old has led by example despite his tender years and established himself as an important player for the Old Gold.
Liam Eason – Pontypridd United
With eight goals in the JD Cymru South already this season, Liam Eason made the switch to Pontypridd United from Cambrian United in the summer and has made an immediate impression at his new club. The 26-year old has been a consistent performer despite results not always going their way since their relegation from the JD Cymru Premier, and will be pivotal to their ambition of returning there at the first time of asking.
Ethan Edwards – Trethomas Bluebirds
21-year old Ethan Edwards scored 10 league goals last season as the club achieved promotion from the Ardal South East, and has made the step-up to the JD Cymru South with ease with five league goals already this season, including both goals in the 2-2 draw against fellow high-flyers Trefelin.
Keane Watts – Goytre United
A key player for Goytre United, Watts has already scored eight goals in the JD Cymru South for his club this season. Impressively, that tally includes hat-tricks in successive fixtures against Penrhiwceiber Rangers and Pontypridd United last month.
