A quick glance at some of the JD Cymru Premier stars who are at the top of the stats charts as we reach the halfway point of the season.
RYAN BROBBEL – THE NEW SAINTS
Goals: 10 Assists: 6 Goal contributions: 16
No one has contributed to more goals this season than the champions’ creative midfielder, who continues to prove that he is one of the most talented players in the league. Brobbel will aim to beat his record last year, when he finished as the season’s top goal contributor with 33 (15 goals, 18 assists). Now 30 years old, Brobbel is the New Saints’ leading scorer in the league, and after being named on the ‘Player of the Season’ shortlist for the past three years, could this be the season when he goes a step further and get his hands on the prize.
JORDAN DAVIES – CONNAH’S QUAY
Goals: 11 Assists: 2 Goal contributions: 13
Neil Gibson will be delighted to have been able to lure the exciting striker Jordan Davies back to Connah’s Quay over the summer, and the 28-year-old has not disappointed since returning to Deeside. With 17 goals in 19 domestic matches, which includes two hat-tricks in the Welsh Cup against Caernarfon and Prestatyn, Davies has certainly been the star-man for the Nomads, after helping Haverfordwest to reach Europe last season with 14 league goals. It’s been more than 10 years since Neil Gibson won one of Wales’ top trophies as a manager, and he will be hoping Davies can continue to shine in the Welsh Cup to help his side go all the way this season.
ADAM DAVIES – CAERNARFON TOWN
Goals: 10 Assists: 3 Goal contributions: 13
Adam Davies is the first player to hit double figures for Caernarfon in the league for five years since Nathan Craig scored 13 goals in the 2018/19 season. In addition to that, Davies has created three goals and therefore only Ryan Brobbel has contributed to more league goals this season. Davies has developed an effective partnership with Zack Clarke, who has also netted seven goals, which was the final tally for Caernarfon’s top scorers last season (Fidel O’Rourke and Joe Faux). The Cofis have certainly strengthened offensively, but they will need to tighten up at the back if they want to hold on to a place in the Top Six.
AARON WILLIAMS – NEWTOWN
Goals: 12 Assists: 0 Goal contributions: 12
When it was announced that Jason Oswell was rejoining Newtown over the summer it was difficult to see how that would influence the progression of current forward Aaron Williams. But after hitting double figures for the Robins in his two previous seasons, Williams has done it again this year and sits at the top of the league’s top scorers list with 12 goals. The 30-year-old striker can score all kinds of goals, as he proved with his hat-trick against Caernarfon recently, with one of his goals being chosen as the October Goal of the Month winner after he controlled the ball beautifully on his chest before driving a powerful volley into the top corner of the net.
CHRIS VENABLES – PEN-Y-BONT
Goals: 11 Assists: 1 Goal contributions: 12
Pen-y-bont may not have reached their full potential in the early part of the season, but Chris Venables has proven that he is a valuable addition to the squad as he has scored half of the team’s goals in the league so far (11 out of 22). At 38 years old, Venables continues to be able to read the game brilliantly and ensure he is in the right place to put the ball in the back of the net time and time again. The forward will be determined to add a sixth Golden Boot to his personal collection, but more importantly, Pen-y-bont will rely heavily on his contribution if they want to confirm a place in the Top Six and challenge for European qualification once again.
BEN CLARK – THE NEW SAINTS
Goals: 7 Assists: 5 Goal contributions: 12
Ben Clark has developed into one of the most influential players in the league, and although others tend to steal the headlines, that possibly works in favour of the underrated 23-year-old midfielder who can sometimes sneak under the radar. Clark scored 13 goals and made four assists last season, and his statistics are impressive once again this year with the young man having matured into one of the most valuable members of the Saints’ squad. It is perhaps surprising that bigger clubs have not come knocking on the door, but if Clark’s future lies at Park Hall, then he is sure to have a successful career, and his trophy cabinet will be full to the rim.
