The shortlist for March’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
Bala Town’s quest for a return to European football continued in March as Colin Caton’s side picked up seven points from a possible nine to cement their position in third place. A 1-0 win over second-place Connah’s Quay Nomads was the perfect start to the month, before a 1-1 draw against Caernarfon Town and another 1-0 victory away at Cardiff Met.
Richard Davies – Caernarfon Town
Caernarfon Town sneaked into the top six on the final day of phase one, but they have held their own since the split and seven points from a possible 12 in March saw them climb from sixth place up to fourth. A 2-1 home win over Connah’s Quay Nomads – a team who they had they not beaten in their 15 previous meetings – was a particular highlight for Richard Davies and co.
Craig Harrison – The New Saints
A 4-0 win over Cardiff Met at the start of March secured a third consecutive JD Cymru Premier title for The New Saints, but they did not let up for the rest of the month. Craig Harrison’s side went on to thrash nearest rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads 5-1 before a 1-0 victory away at Newtown to extend their winning streak in the league to 22 consecutive matches.
Player of the Month
Rhys Abbruzzese – Haverfordwest County
Rhys Abbruzzese has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the JD Cymru Premier this season. Part of a Haverfordwest County defence that kept three clean sheets in four matches in March, Abbruzzese also provided an assist in the win over Aberystwyth Town, before holding his nerve to convert an 88th-minute penalty to beat Pontypridd United 1-0.
Danny Davies – The New Saints
While The New Saints’ defence often get the plaudits, it must not be forgotten the value of their defence too. Danny Davies was an ever-present in the backline throughout March, as they conceded just one goal in three games. He also chipped in with a goal in the win over his former side Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Dan Jefferies – Penybont
An unsung hero at the heart of Penybont’s defence, Dan Jefferies did not miss a minute of action in March as Rhys Griffiths’ side earned three consecutive clean sheets in four matches to maintain their quest to finish top of the Play Off Conference. Consistently reliable, Jefferies has proved invaluable in the absence of the likes of Mark Little and Shaun MacDonald.
George Newell – Bala Town
Some Bala Town fans may have been worried about their frontline after Chris Venables left last summer, but George Newell has led the attack expertly throughout the campaign. He scored all three of the Lakesiders’ league goals in March as they closed in on a return to European football.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Mark Allen – Airbus UK Broughton
March was another perfect month for Airbus UK Broughton, who won all four of their matches while scoring 13 goals and conceding just twice. The games in hand of teams below them may deny them the title, but Mark Allen has nonetheless done an impressive job of reinvigorating the club following relegation from the JD Cymru Premier.
Lee Fowler – Flint Town United
Flint Town United continue to hold out hope for the JD Cymru North title and did all they could in March with three consecutive wins. After triumphing away at Caersws and Gresford Athletic, Lee Fowler’s men ended the month with an emphatic 7-0 home win against Ruthin Town – the biggest margin of victory in the division this season.
Johnny Haseldin – Holywell Town
Holywell Town climbed to the top of the JD Cymru North by the end of March after five consecutive wins, in which they scored 17 goals and only conceded one. Johnny Haseldin’s side have now won 14 consecutive league matches and are in pole position to lift the title as we head into the final month of the campaign.
Player of the Month
Jamie Breese – Holywell Town
Jamie Breese has been a superb addition to Holywell Town’s attack since joining from Llanidloes Town in January and he continued his fine scoring form in March with seven goals in five games. A pair of penalties proved crucial in earning a 3-1 win away at a strong Mold Alexandra side, before he bagged a hat-trick in the 4-0 home win against Prestatyn Town.
Iwan Matthews – Guilsfield
Guilsfield picked up 10 points from a possible 15 in March, with striker Iwan Matthews hitting top form as he found the back of the net in all five matches. A goal and two assists away at Llanidloes Town and a brace to help beat Denbigh Town 4-1 were his standout performances.
Max McLaughlin – Chirk AAA
Chirk AAA may have been relegated after losing their first two games in March, but they went on to earn seven points from their next three. Max McLaughlin registered a goal contribution in all five matches, scoring in four in a row – including a brace to defeat Llandudno 3-2 – before providing an assist against Llanidloes Town.
Joe Palmer – Airbus UK Broughton
Airbus’ midfield has been crucial to their title challenge this season and Joe Palmer has been a consistently reliable presence. He captained the side for two of their four wins in March, contributed to back-to-back clean sheets and also chipped in with two goals in the 5-1 win away at Llandudno.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Andy Dyer – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Andy Dyer’s Briton Ferry Llansawel started and ended March in second place in the JD Cymru South, but 16 points from a possible 18 ensured they maintained the pressure on leaders Llanelli Town. Late goals to beat Goytre United, Abertillery Bluebirds and Cwmbran Celtic could prove to be particularly crucial moments in the title race.
Gareth Evans – Cambrian & Clydach Vale
March was an unbeaten month for Cambrian & Clydach Vale, who rose from sixth to fifth in the JD Cymru South after earning two wins and two draws. A 5-2 win away at fellow top six side Afan Lido was the most impressive result for Gareth Evans’ side, which came a week after they held title challengers Ammanford to a goalless draw.
Lee John – Llanelli Town
Llanelli Town led the way in the JD Cymru South throughout March, picking up five wins from six games as they strive for promotion to the top-flight. Lee John’s side held their nerve in their most crucial fixtures too – winning away at both fourth-place Carmarthen Town and third-place Ammanford.
Player of the Month
Luke Bowen – Briton Ferry Llansawel
Luke Bowen hit form at just the right time for Briton Ferry Llansawel in March, as he scored in all four of their wins to maintain their title challenge – most decisively of all the only goal in the 1-0 victory against Taffs Well. It was enough to take him over the 20-goal mark for the second consecutive season
Liam Eason – Cambrian & Clydach Vale
Liam Eason has been a revelation since re-joining Cambrian & Clydach Vale in January and he is nominated for this award for the second consecutive month. He contributed a goal and an assist in the 5-2 win Afan Lido, put the Cam Army ahead in the 2-2 draw with Caerau Ely and then provided two assists as his side triumphed 5-2 against Abertillery Bluebirds.
Joe Hopkins – Llanelli Town
It is at this stage of the season that it is particularly important for captains to lead by example and Joe Hopkins did exactly that for Llanelli Town in March. Hopkins scored four goals in six matches, including a 93rd-minute winner to defeat Baglan Dragons 2-1 and a brace in the crucial 3-1 victory away at Ammanford.
Olly Redhead – Caerau Ely
Caerau Ely went unbeaten in their four games in March, with Olly Redhead’s creativity in midfield proving a key asset. After coming off the bench to assist Brandon Griffiths’ equaliser against Cambrian & Clydach Vale, he also set up goals in the away win at Taffs Well and the draw against high-flying Ammanford.
