Football

Penrhyncoch take close look at squad

by Adam Hughes

PENRHYNCOCH FC report back to training this week, with boss Kevin Jenkins delighted that almost all of last season’s squad are re-signing.
However, a notable exception is last season’s top scorer Richard Evans, who is joining Cymru Alliance rivals Caersws, due to work commitments.
Meanwhile new faces include Stuart Fraser and Elian Evans from Aberystwyth Town, and Jon Folino, from Mid Wales League champions Penparcau.
Jamie Morris is set to return following from his travels in the southern hemisphere, and the club hopes that a couple of other players with Welsh Premier League experience with join. Jenkins was keeping his cards close to his chest, but said that all current players and any new players were welcome to attend training sessions.
“We are all aware at the club that this season will not be an easy one, and we are not going to rest on our laurels,” commented the Penrhyn manager. “What we achieved last season was tremendous, but that is now in the past and we must look forward.
“Once again I can’t praise enough the support and commitment that I have had from our committee, supporters, sponsors and our club chairman Graham Thomas, who has grown in statue over the last few years or so. He certainly keeps me and the rest of the committee in check, and I certainly feel that this is the most united that we have been as a club in all the 28 years that I have been involved.”
Gari Lewis (pictured) will once again be club captain and assistant manager, with Iwan Roberts, Ken March, Owain Jones and Jonathan Evans assisting with the pre-season training regime.
Friendly matches have been lined up against Llanrug away on 31 July, Aberaeron at home on 4 August, Tywyn/Bryncrug at home on 7 August and Penparcau at home on 10 August.
Their campaign kicks-off on 14 August, and for the first time the Cymru Alliance will be releasing its fixtures for the entire season, which will be more beneficial to the supporters, and the clubs in attracting sponsors.
Meanwhile the Penrhyncoch Reserves are looking for a new manager after Carwyn Jenkins stepped down at the club’s AGM, and is contemplating taking up the whistle as a referee.
Penrhyncoch Thirds will once again be run by Debbie Jenkins, who along with Karen Jones also runs Penrhyn Ladies, while Kevin Jenkins will double up as the Under 17s manager.
“Also having the manager’s job at Under 17s level will help keep the link between the first team and the younger lads,” Jenkins commented.
“It is an excellent way of seeing the talent we have within the structure at first hand. There are a number of lads like Garmon Nutting, Llion Jenkins, Kristian Jenkins, Bryn Oliver, Andrew Drakeley and Rhys Wyn, for whom we have high regard as future first team players, and this season’s Under 17s squad could be even stronger.”