Boss in youth pledge
FOOTBALL
PENYBONT manager Rhys Griffiths is prepared to give youth its head this season in Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division One, writes Tony Poole.
Speaking ahead of the start of the season at Ton Pentre on Saturday, he has been impressed with the emerging talent at the Bridgend super club.
“Joe Hopkins, Conor Goldsworthy and Cullen Kinsella have shown up well in pre-season matches and I expect them to go well this season,” said Griffiths, who took over at the Bont helm this summer from long-serving manager Francis Ford and his young assistant Paulo Wiseman.
He went on: “Players like goalkeeper Rhys Wilson, defender Sean Barney-Williams and wide operator Marcus Griffiths are experienced men at this level, and they will be key members of the team.’’
However, Griffiths has brought in a few new players in defenders James Parry (Port Talbot Town) and Kane Owen (Aberystwyth Town).
Kieran Howard is an important midfield arrival along with former Port Talbot Town team-mate Duane Saunders.
Former Wales U21 international Owain Warlow was a late addition to the squad while two youngsters – ex-Bluebird Ellis Bellamy and Harris Collins (Taffs Well) – represent exciting potential.
“It was a case of me turning to some players who were off the radar, and basically clubs had forgotten about them,” he continued.
“I played with Owain Warlow at Llanelli, and he’s regularly played at semi-professional level.
“I feel Kieran Howard is a big signing, but it’s only when the season gets under way for real at a difficult venue like Ton Pentre on Saturday that you can really gauge things.’’
And on the subject of his playing days, Griffiths hasn’t ruled out pulling on a Bont shirt this winter.
“It’s very much a case of ‘never say never’ with regard to me playing again, but if I’m needed then obviously I would answer the call.’’