The shortlist for October’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
Neil Gibson – Connah’s Quay Nomads
October was another unbeaten month for Connah’s Quay Nomads, who have now not lost any of their last 11 league matches. Neil Gibson’s side drew 1-1 with Aberystwyth Town and Bala Town before winning 3-0 away at Pontypridd United and thrashing Caernarfon Town 6-1 at the Essity Stadium. No team conceded fewer goals last month than the Nomads (three).
Craig Harrison – The New Saints
Reigning champions The New Saints continued their charge for another league title in October and ended the month six points clear at the top of the table following four consecutive wins. Craig Harrison’s side netted 18 goals in the process, including six against both Barry Town United and Colwyn Bay.
Ryan Jenkins – Cardiff Met
While a 5-1 defeat away at Caernarfon Town was one to forget, wins in their other three matches in October meant that only TNS picked up more points in the JD Cymru Premier last month than Cardiff Met. Ryan Jenkins’ side ended Newtown’s eight-match winning run with a 2-1 victory over the Robins and are now up to fifth in the table.
Player of the Month
Ryan Brobbel – The New Saints
Four goals in October took Ryan Brobbel’s league tally into double figures for the fourth successive season. After bagging a brace in the 4-1 away win at Penybont, he also netted against Bala Town and Colwyn Bay while also contributing three assists as The New Saints continued their winning streak.
Ben Nash – Connah’s Quay Nomads
Connah’s Quay Nomads had the joint-best defence in the JD Cymru Premier in October, conceding just three times in four matches, and Ben Nash played a key role in that with a series of imperious displays. The defender also proved his worth at the other end of the pitch by scoring against Pontypridd United and assisting a goal against Caernarfon Town.
Aaron Williams – Newtown
There has been no stopping Aaron Williams this season, with the Newtown frontman scoring five goals in three matches in October to take his league tally to 12 for the season – no one in the JD Cymru Premier has netted more. After bagging a hat-trick against Caernarfon Town, he also found the net against Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County.
Brad Young – The New Saints
Brad Young has hit the ground running since his move to TNS from Aston Villa in the summer, stepping up as the team’s primary goal threat in the absence of Declan McManus. The 20-year-old netted six times in four games in October, including two against Penybont and a hat-trick against Barry Town United.
JD Cymru North
Manager of the Month
Lee Fowler – Flint Town United
Flint Town United continued their quest to return to the JD Cymru Premier at the first time of asking by winning both of their two matches in October without conceding a goal. A 1-0 win over promotion rivals Airbus UK Broughton could prove particularly vital, while Lee Fowler’s side also defeated Buckley Town 2-0.
Nathan Leonard – Guilsfield
Having started the month in 10th place in the JD Cymru North, Guilsfield were up to sixth by the end of October following two impressive away wins against Ruthin Town and Caersws. Nathan Leonard’s side had to come from behind in both matches, showing their resolve and team spirit.
Dewi Llion – Denbigh Town
Denbigh Town continue to impress in the second tier following promotion last season and they ended October fifth in the JD Cymru North after back-to-back wins. First, they showed their attacking quality in a 6-2 victory over Llanidloes Town, before ending Gresford Athletic’s four-match winning run in the league by triumphing 2-1 at The Rock.
Player of the Month
George Peers – Airbus UK Broughton
Only Bangor 1876’s Corrig McGonigle has scored more goals in the JD Cymru North this season than George Peers, who took his tally to eight with five in October. After coming off the bench to score twice against Prestatyn Town, he netted against Caersws before another brace to complete a comeback win over Bangor 1876.
Jake Roberts – Mold Alexandra
Nominated for a second month in a row, Jake Roberts continued his remarkable early season form with a goal in the two wins over Llandudno and Porthmadog, plus two assists against the latter. The winger has now netted in all five games since joining Mold Alexandra from Buckley in the summer.
Tom Weir – Denbigh Town
There were a host of impressive individual performances in Denbigh Town’s team in October, but Tom Weir stood out with a goal and two assists in the 6-2 win over Llanidloes Town before striking a 91st-minute winner to defeat his former club Gresford Athletic.
Rhys Williams – Flint Town United
Flint Town United were the only club across the three divisions not to concede a goal in October, with wins against Airbus and Buckley Town sustaining their title challenge. Goalkeeper Rhys Williams was instrumental in the two clean sheets with a string of fine saves, continuing his impressive form since signing from Gresford Athletic in the summer.
JD Cymru South
Manager of the Month
Paul Evans – Afan Lido
October was a faultless month for Afan Lido, as Paul Evans’ side claimed three successive victories – two of which came in dramatic style as they scored late winners against Baglan Dragons and Cwmbran Celtic. The Reds sit second in the table, just one point behind leaders Briton Ferry Llansawel.
Lee John – Llanelli Town
Llanelli Town also continue to keep pace at the top of the JD Cymru South and Lee John’s team earned seven points from a possible nine in October. The highlight was undoubtedly the emphatic 9-0 home win over Abertillery Bluebirds – the biggest margin of victory since the JD Cymru South’s formation in 2019.
James Kinsella – Cwmbran Celtic
Only denied an unbeaten October by Afan Lido’s last-minute winner in their final game of the month, Cwmbran Celtic picked up back-to-back wins over Abertillery Bluebirds and Caerau Ely to rise to sixth in the table. James Kinsella continues to oversee year-on-year improvement at Celtic Park.
Player of the Month
Alex Bonthron – Cwmbran Celtic
The focal point of Cwmbran Celtic’s attack that has fired them up the table, Alex Bonthron scored a goal in all three games he played in October as the club picked up two wins and climbed to sixth. With two assists to his name as well, Bonthron is proving crucial to Celtic’s success.
Luke Bowen – Briton Ferry Llansawel
No player has scored more goals in the JD Cymru South this season than Luke Bowen, who sits on 11 from 11 games so far. He netted four crucial goals in October, with braces against Goytre United and Pontardawe Town earning victory for Briton Ferry Llansawel as they maintained top spot in the table.
Ethan Cann – Llanelli Town
Ethan Cann has made an impressive start to life at Llanelli Town following his summer move from Taffs Well and he doubled his goal tally for the season with three in October. The 21-year-old netted twice in the 9-0 thrashing of Abertillery Bluebirds before opening the scoring in the 2-1 win over Caerau Ely.
Ieuan Owen – Afan Lido
Afan Lido earned a reputation as late goal specialists in October and Ieuan Owen was at the heart of the drama. After contributing a goal and an assist in the 4-1 victory over Llantwit Major, he set up Ioan Evans’ 90th-minute winner against Baglan Dragons before becoming the hero himself with an 82nd-minute winner against Cwmbran Celtic.
