Answering the call
LOCAL football talents are set to earn international recognition. John Owen from Criccieth, former Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen student Danny Gosset and Caernarfon-born Jay Owen are all in the Wales C squad to face England C at Jenner Park in Barry on Tuesday, March 20.
Manager Mark Jones has selected a squad of 18 players from the JD Welsh Premier League, plus two others that will train with the group in camp before the game.
One attacking option at Jones’ disposal will be Aberystwyth Town’s John Owen, who has been in cracking form for his club of late.
Owen has previously played for Porthmadog, Bangor City, Rhyl and Llandudno.
Bangor City’s Gosset, who has really stood out in his second season at the club with his composed performances in midfield, is a worthy choice in the squad.
Joining the midfield ace is team-mate Guto Williams, a young defender called up as one of the two players to train with the squad alongside Prestatyn Town’s Noah Edwards.
Noah is not the only member of his family involved, as brother Kai has also been selected from Connah’s Quay, alongside defensive partner Mike Pearson and midfielder Jay Owen.
The 27-year-old Owen formerly plied his trade at Chester City in League Two and had spells at Barrow and Airbus before joining the Nomads in 2016.
Cefn Druids’ Naim Arsan has represented his country in Futsal. He has impressed in a Druids side that defied many pundits predictions to finish in the top six as the league split in January and now gets his chance with Wales C.
Bala Town stalwarts, goalkeeper Ashley Morris and goal-getting midfielder Chris Venables, who have more than 500 WPL appearances between them and were both part of last year’s Welsh Cup winning side, also make the Wales C squad.
Also given a chance to shine is Toby Jones, a former Caernarfon Town player currently having a great season for Llandudno in the Welsh Premier.
The rest of the squad is made up of players from South and mid-Wales clubs, as well as The New Saints.
Former Swansea City and Wales midfielder Owain Tudur Jones, who began his career at Porthmadog, is assisting Mark Jones in managing the Wales C squad.
Tickets for the game are available on www.faw.cymru/tickets and from the clubhouse at Jenner Park. The game will also be streamed online by S4C on the Sgorio Facebook page and the S4C website. TRAINING CAMP SQUAD MEMBERS: Noah Edwards (Prestatyn Town); Guto Williams (Bangor City).