Who would you put on the SPOT?
PENALTY shoot-outs have become a big feature of the current World Cup in Russia.
England finally won one last week, the hosts stunned the Spaniards with their spot-kick prowess and Croatia have really shown their nerve from 12 yards in this tournament.
It got me thinking, if it came to a penalties contest in North Wales football, which five kickers, past or present, could be relied upon most to find the net?
Who would be my dream five?
Here are a few deadly finishers from 12 yards, some of whom were suggested by my followers on social media.
Are there any others you can think of? CORRIG MCGONIGLE (Conwy Borough)
Since this Anglesey lad started playing senior football in 2013/14, he has amassed 243 goals in considerably fewer appearances (59 in 2017/18; 59 in 2016/17; 64 in 2015/16; 28 in 2014/15; and 33 in 2013/14).
His record is quite astonishing and among his many talents is an ability to bang in penalties for fun. LEE WILLIAMS (Bangor City, Rhyl, Total Network Solutions and others)
Williams was a goalkeeper who struck fear into his opposite number whenever he raced upfield to take penalties.
He played in the Welsh Premier for various clubs between 1994-2011 and netted seven times, his goals split between Bangor and TNS.
The words of Rhyl FC longserving supporter and historian Graham Cartlidge: “No keeper would get anywhere near his penalties, never seen anyone hit a ball harder.”
Bangor City based Citizens Choice webmaster Mike Smith added: “Absolutely no doubt – Lee Williams the goalkeeper. Good God he was frightening.”
And lifelong City follower, author Joe Shooman said: “Lee could have demolished Farrar Road without need for any JCBs.” KENLEIGH OWEN (Holyhead Hotspur)
His left foot is a magic wand. Former Oldham Athletic and Wales U19 international has been back at Hotspur for a few years now and he’s well known for his great free-kicks, spectacular goals and accurate penalty taking. ASA THOMAS (Holyhead Town)
With close on 400 goals in his senior career for clubs including Trearddur Bay United, Gaerwen, Morawelon, Holyhead Hotspur and now Holyhead Town, Thomas has put away more than a few penalties. DYLAN OWEN (Llanrug United, Caernarfon Town and Rhyl)
Never bet against this man making the net ripple from the spot. In six seasons at Llanrug, Owen has netted 50 goals and 24 of them have been penalties. In 2015/16, eight of his 10 goals were pens.
“Midge” has only missed one penalty in his time at Llanrug – away to Glan Conwy in 2016/17.
As well as being a penalty king, Owen is also renowned as a magnificent free-kick taker. JOEL LLOYD (Llandudno Albion)
Albion can nearly always rely on their skipper to convert from the spot.
Lloyd is the club’s fourth highest scorer of all-time with 46 and many of those goals have gone down on the scoresheet as “J Lloyd pen”. NATHAN CRAIG (Caernarfon Town)
Although more famed for his stunning free-kick goals, Craig ls also lethal from the penalty spot.
Since joining the Canaries in 2014/15, the former Everton midfielder has netted 59 goals in 127 appearances. That would be a great record for a striker, but considering Craig plays either left-back or attacking left-midfield, it is quite outstanding.
Over the past three seasons, he has bagged 56 goals in 108 games – a better ratio than one every two matches.
Many of these goals have emanated from free-kicks or penalties – he’s a machine from dead-ball situations. ADRIAN WAKEHAM (Llanberis and Llanrug United)
This is a player I always remember being ruthless via free-kicks or penalties for the Darans in the 1980s and 90s.
The Wakeham football tradition has continued, with Adrian’s son Gethin having gone on to be a quality player for Llanberis. KATIE MIDWINTER (Bethel) I’ve covered many women’s football matches over the past five years and have to say that penalties have been a rarity during my viewings.
However, Bethel’s top scorer last season, the gifted Katie Midwinter is also very reliable from the spot, according to former manager Iorwerth Williams.
“You can always rely on Katie Mid to put them away,” he said. SAM JONES (Holywell Town)
In his finest season of 2014/15 for the Wellmen, nine of Jones’s 44 goals were from the penalty spot.
His manager at Holywell, Johnny Haseldin, said: “He never missed for me.”
Town fan Iwan Waters added: “Sam could do it with his eyes closed, he is a natural at it!”