NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE, SAYS BOSS JONES
HEAD coach Mark Jones wants his Cymru C squad to use Newport County’s Will Evans as inspiration when they take on England C.
Evans starred in their 4-0 thrashing of the Three Lions at Caernarfon in 2022 and landed a move to the League Two Exiles off the back of it.
The 26-year-old gone onto become a Newport’s top goalscorer this season and even netted against Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Dragons boss Jones reckons the England C fixture is the perfect platform for his players to showcase their talents in front of potential suitors.
“There are plenty of opportunities for players,” Jones told The NLP. “We’ve had five players go professional after previous games.
“Two years ago, Will Evans scored twice when we won 4-0 at Caernarfon and he’s now at Newport and has scored 23 goals so far this season, so it’s a good opportunity for people to make the grade in the big Football League.
“It’s a great fixture for players to play in, especially the younger elements of both squads. It has created a buzz amongst Football League scouts – 50 to 60 are already asking for tickets to the game.
“Our centre forward Jordan Davies has already signed a pre-agreement with Greenock Morton for next season and hopefully he can make a big impact.”
“Danny Gossett played for us in the first fixture at Barry Town six years ago, he then suffered cancer and was out of the game for two years. He’s having a great season at Caernarfon Town and he’s back in the squad again for this game.”
Jones believes the JD Cymru Premier does not get the respect it deserves, and is hoping for Wales to put on a good performance for a big audience.
“We have played England since 2018 and it has been very close,” he added. “I think that in a lot of people’s eyes the Cymru Premier doesn’t get a lot of credit. If we can get a good result against an England team from the National League it gives us more credibility.”
And Jones will relish the occasion again.
“I managed in the league for about 15 years at Carmarthen Town and won the Welsh Cup three times and at Port Talbot Town and reached Europe,” he added.
“The game will be televised on S4C and Sgorio, I’m a commentator now for Sgorio, if we win I’ll be over the moon and if England beat us I wish I had been commentating!
“I’d like to think we’d get a couple of thousand down, it’s a wonderful place to play football, the pitch is snooker table like, it’s the home of Llanelli who are currently top of the Cymru South and are hoping to come back into the Cymru Premier.”
CYMRU C
Kelland Absalom (Bala Town), Connor Roberts (The New Saints), Rhys Abbruzzese (Haverfordwest County), Danny Davies (The New Saints), Mael Davies (Penybont), Lee Jenkins (Haverfordwest County), Emlyn Lewis (Cardiff Met), Kane Owen (Penybont), Ryan Sears (Newtown), Sion Bradley (Caernarfon Town), Noah Edwards (Connah’s Quay Nomads), Danny Gosset (Caernarfon Town), Clayton Green (Pontypridd United), Tom Price (Cardiff Met), Josh Williams (Connah’s Quay Nomads), Ben Ahmun (Pontypridd United), Ethan Cann (Llanelli Town), Gwion Dafydd (Caernarfon Town, on loan from The New Saints), Jordan Davies (Connah’s Quay Nomads), Sam Jones (Cardiff Met)