Welsh Player News (and rumours) 2nd August Non-League

Kevin Gall and Declan Walker – who nearly scored – both started for Wrexham as they lost 2-0 to Crewe Alexandra, who had Rhys Taylor in goal. Johnny Hunt and Jamie Tolley made substitute appearances but Chris Maxwell and Marc Williams stayed on the bench.
Dean Saunders says he will make a decision on Jamie soon but it depends on financial issues.

Alex Titchener has signed for Colwyn Bay after being released by Crewe Alexandra. Alex spent time on loan at Colwyn Bay last season.

Glyn Garner came on in the second half for Newport County as they won 1-0 against Stevenage Borough.

Worcester City are hoping to sign Craig Jones, who has been released by Hereford United. Craig played in Worcester’s 4-1 win over AFC Liverpool.

Welsh Player News (and rumours) 2nd August, Championship (Part 2)

Steve Morison played for Millwall as they lost 3-2 at Heart of Midlothian. Steve made a couple of whole-hearted challenges on Hearts players but luckily they weren’t too seriously injured. Manager Kenny Jackett says Steve isn’t going anywhere, especially not Hull.

Norwich City lost 4-2 at home to Everton but Andrew Crofts scored one of their goals.

Owain Tudur Jones could be leaving Norwich City for Plymouth Argyle.

Robert Earnshaw says scoring goals is better than scoring with girls. Or that’s what the Sun said. Some more reputable sources claim he rates both equally which, as his girlfriend is gorgeous, seems far more believable.

Nottingham Forest fans won’t be encouraged by a 3-2 defeat to Swindon Town but at least Chris Gunter played well and got an assist. Rob Earnshaw should have scored but didn’t.

Preston North End’s new signing Craig Morgan will probably be wishing he’d stayed at Peterborough United after a 1-1 draw with Wrexham. Chris Maxwell, Declan Walker, Kevin Gall and Johnny Hunt all played some part in this match. Wrexham trialist Jamie Tolley also played. Marc Williams and Kai Edwards were unused substitutes.

Welsh Player news (Championship) Part 1

Christian Ribeiro’s back injury is likely to keep him out of Swansea City’s opening game. So I would guess he won’t be playing for the Wales under-21s either, despite being picked. But other than that, he seems to be recovering well.

Freddy Eastwood scored in a 2-0 away victory over Walsall.

Nice to see Robbie Savage being so complimentary about his fellow Welshmen. He thinks Mark Hughes will do a great job at Fulham and Craig Bellamy could do a lot worse than sign for Aston Villa. Robbie missed Derby County’s last friendly with a slight groin strain.

Doncaster Rovers midfielder John Oster has had a knee operation and will miss the start of the season.

New Swansea City Brendan Rogers ha href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2010/07/28/rodgers-is-keen-on-taking-stock-to-swansea-91466-26944275/">has his eye on Doncaster’s Brian Stock.

West Bromwich Albion have made a bid for Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill – and it looks like Hull can’t afford to turn it down

Nicky Adams has been playing at right back for Leicester City. New manager Paolo Sousa seems to like him so far. But Brentford manager Andy Scott hasn’t given up hope yet.

Andy King thinks Leicester City will be more potent this season than last season – even though Leicester finishes fourth. Andy opened the scoring when Leicester beat Peterborough United 5-1 away.

Austria 1-0 Wales (under-21 match)

Austria 1-0 Wales (under-21 match)
Wales took a while to settle in this match – which perhaps wasn’t surprising as manager Brian Flynn made seven changes from Wales’ last match, including a number of debutants at this level.

Sam Vokes scored late in the first half for Wales but the goal was disallowed for offside - the decision was annoying but fair. Sam did his best to score for Wales but Austria’s defence worked hard to contain the Premier League defender. Joe Partington also came close to scoring.

Wales continued to defend well but an error by substitute goalkeeper Chris Maxwell gave Austria the lead. The Wrexham keeper otherwise played well but facing a free kick when you’ve just come off the bench isn’t the easiest thing in the world and he’s not the first keeper to struggle in that situation. He’ll learn from it I’m sure and become even better.

And so the match ended in defeat but there were a number of positives to take from the game, with Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City) – now called up to the senior squad – and Aaron Morris (Cardiff City) being singled out by the FA Wales website as playing particularly well. Neil Taylor, Mark Bradley and Hal Robson-Kanu have also been named in the senior squad on the strength of their performances.

David Cornell, Jazz Richards (both Swansea City), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), Mark Bradley (recently released by Walsall) Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Joe Partington (Bournemouth), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake Taylor (Reading) and Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City) all started for Wales.

Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Ryan Doble (Southampton), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham), Daniel Alfei (Swansea City) and Nathan Craig (Everton) all made appearances from the bench.

Ash Taylor (Tranmere Rovers) and Casey Thomas (Swansea City) were also on the bench. Neal Eardley (Blackpool) and Lloyd James (recently released by Southampton) were named in the original squad but Neal withdrew due to his involvement in the Championsbip play-off final while Lloyd has an ankle injury.

All Change at Wrexham

A number of Welsh players will be looking for new clubs after Wrexham manager Dean Saunders has released eleven players, including some Welsh ones. He will be working with a smaller budget and can’t afford to keep all the players.

Defender Mike Williams has come to the end of his contract and will not be offered a new one. The 23 year old has been at Wrexham for 13 years. He says he was disappointed but nor surprised and he gave a lovely and positive interview to the Daily Post. He says Dean Saunders is going to help him find another club.

Midfielder Mark Jones is one of several players who have been told to find another club.

Defender Kai Edwards, midfielders Johnny Hunt and Kristian O’Leary and striker Gareth Taylor, who have all been given year-long contracts. Declan Walker has been offered his first professional contract. Leon Clowes will be invited back for pre-season training although the Daily Post’s wording suggests he doesn’t have a contract.

Neil Taylor, who has apparently attracted the attention of Burnley, was also offered a contract but he rejected it and is expecting to leave.

Striker Marc Williams (younger brother of Mike) has a broken foot so he’s got a six-month contract and time to prove his fitness.

Goalkeeper Chris Maxwell has a year left on his contract.

Wales under-21 squad v Austria

Wales under-21s play Austria away on Tuesday May 18th.

Goalkeepers: David Cornell (Swansea City), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham

Defenders: Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeito (Bristol City), Ashley 'Jazz' Richards (Swansea City), Ash Taylor (Tranmere Rovers), Neil Taylor (Wrexham)

Midfield: Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Nathan Craig (Everton), Ryan Doble (Southampton), Lloyd James (Southampton), Joe Partington (Bournemouth)

Forwards: Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Jake Taylor (Reading)


Stand-by:
Goalkeeper: Jonathan Bond (Watford)
Defender: James Bloom (Falkirk),
Midfielders: David Stephens (Norwich City, currently on loan at Lincoln City), Lee Lucas (Swansea City)
Forward: Richard Periket (Fulham)

FA Cup Results November 28th 2009 Part 3

Wrexham 0-1 Swindon Town
Wrexham have millions of Welsh players and a number of them featured in this match, which saw them lose to former Premiership side Swindon by just one goal. Gareth Taylor has a sore knee but still managed to play the whole match. Chris Maxwell (the Wales under-21 goalkeeper), Neil Taylor and brothers Marc and Mike Williams also started but Neil was replaced after83 minutes. Mark Jones was on the bench.

Wales News

Swansea City are allegedly interested in Sheffield United’s David Cotterill and Wrexham’s Neil Taylor. David is interested in the move, which would see him become Swansea’s record signing.

Neil and also goalkeeper Chris Maxwell are coming to the end of their contracts at Wrexham, who need all the good players they can get.

Bristol City are considering loaning out Christian Ribeiro.

As Joe Allen featured in Wales’ under 21 game he could be rested for Swansea City’s match against Derby County.

Adam Matthews is a doubt for Cardiff City’s match against Barnsley. Sources are divided on whether he injured his groin or his foot but the official Cardiff site says it’s his groin.

Craig Bellamy believes his persistent knee injury will see an early end to his career – a year or two at most. If he’s right, it’s easier to have some sympathy with his decision to retire from international football. It’s not as though he has the option of retiring from club football and continuing to play for Wales. Not unless Manchester City would be happy to train him without picking him for matches.

Bosnia-Hercegovina 2-1 Wales

Wales’ unbeaten run in the Under-21 Championships came to an end last night. Wales took the lead through an excellent goal from Joe Allen (who also appeared for the senior side in their win over Scotland on Saturday), and Wrexham keeper Chris Maxwell saved a Bosnia penalty.

Wales remain at the top of the group but second-placed Hungary are four points behind with two games in hand. Wales won’t play again until September 2010.
Joe Allen wasn’t the only member of the squad against Scotland to appear for the under 21s. Strikers Simon Church, Ched Evans and Sam Vokes, and midfielder Andy King all of whom played against Scotland, also played against Bosnia. Adam Matthews made his Under-21 debut days after being part of the senior squad for the first time but was replaced at half-time due to a groin injury. Darcy Blake, who was also on the bench against Scotland, was the unlucky player to concede the penalty.

Simon, Ched, Mark Bradley and substitute Ashley Richards all came close to giving Wales an equaliser.

Would things have been different if a few more members of the senior squad had been able to play? Possibly. Jack Collison (knee) and Chris Gunter (virus) withdrew from the Scotland game as well as the Under-21 Bosnia tie. Aaron Ramsey (back), Gareth Bale (unspecified) and Lewin Nyatanga (unspecified) were also in the original squad to face Bosnia. They could have made a difference but Gareth has not played with the under-21s for a while. There would have been an advantage in putting a few experienced players in the squad, there is also much to be said for playing a team where the players are used to playing together.

Andy King was the Wales captain for the first time. Regular captain Shaun MacDonald, who has had a groin injury, came on as a substitute and set a new record for appearances with the Under-21s. It was his 22nd cap.

However Wales are still top and even if they do end up finishing second they are likely to advance to the play-offs alongside the group winners. A point in their next game could be enough.

Wales Under-21 team
Chris Maxwell (Wrexham), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Andy King, captain (Leicester City), Darcy Blake (Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Cardiff City), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Sam Vokes (Leeds United, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Substitutes: Ashley Richards, replaced Matthews 46 (Swansea City), Shaun MacDonald, replaced Vokes 57 (Yeovil Town, on loan from Swansea City)|
Subs not used: David Cornell (Swansea City), James Wilson (Brentford, on loan from Bristol City), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Marc Williams (Wrexham), Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City)

Bosnia-Hercegovina v Wales – (Under 21s) Squad

Goalkeepers: David Cornell (Swansea City), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham)
Defenders: Darcy Blake (Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Cardiff City), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Ashley Richards (Swansea City), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), James Wilson (Brentford, on loan from Bristol City)
Midfielders: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Andy King (Leicester City), Shaun MacDonald (Yeovil Town, on loan from Swansea City)
Strikers: Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Jake Taylor (Reading), Sam Vokes (Leeds United, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Marc Williams (Wrexham)

The strikers don't have tags because blogger said I've used too many characters. I guess the Wales managers don't use blogger then.

FA Cup Results November 7th 2009 Part 3

Josh Low conceded a penalty as his side Cheltenham Town lost to Torquay United.
Wrexham avoided upset as they defeated Lowestoft Town 1-0. Gareth Taylor scored, and Chris Maxwell, Mike Williams, Neil Taylor and Mark Jones also played. Marc Williams stayed on the bench.