Playing in the FAW's Genero Adran North u19's league it’s been an exciting start for the team after uncertain beginings. The team is improving week by week with the work behind the scenes and on the training pitch looking like it's paying off. To think this team almost didn’t exist due to the lack of interest but the players who committed have really made it work and we are now seeing it on the pitch.

Managed by Jonny Batten and coached by Rich Williams, Aron Griffiths and Lois Regan they train on a Thursday night alongside the senior squad at Plas Ffrancon, Bethesda. Behind the scenes they have Joanne Parry, Dani Pickstock, Dafydd Owen and Sioned Lewis working to make the team a success.

Reflecting on the past few months and progress to date manager Jonny Batten commented : “Indeed they've started the season well, unbeaten in three and gaining in confidence. The team is starting to gel, play some good football and are improving week by week, game by game.

The U19s play with the seniors so we felt it best to have them train alongside them. They have really taken to the ethos and the intensity of the senior training sessions. We' ve seen a massive improvement in their training over the past few weeks and they're giving it 100% and this being translated into performances on the pitch and of course results.

We're really happy with their progress to date but still a lot of work to do. We're trying to bolster the squad with some exciting prospects and making this team even better. It's no lie that they are achieving way above any expectations we had and that's down to hard work and effort from the team. Moving forward, we think it's really going to be exciting times for this group of young players. If they carry on putting the effort in and keep up this momentum up then who knows what they can achieve this season and beyond. From what we've seen to date they have a lot more to give so it's up to us to harness that and develop that potential.

The seniors have really supported the 19's and are on board the vision we have as a club and do what they can to help. They give advice in training, are supportive on match days and step up to play when required. This has created a great partnership between the two squads. We have a number of first team players who are eligible to play for the 19's team and they do. This really adds something to the U19s team and it rubs off on the other u19s players during games.

Along with the other coaches we are all in agreement that the best way for some of the u19s to develop is to be slowly integrated into senior set-up. They'll be given the opportunity and have managed playing time in senior matches but this is based on merit and the individual players physical, technical and tactical ability. This priniciple is seems to be working well with current u19s players Sophie, Cerys and Amy already making their senior debuts recently as substitutes and to be fair they held their own and performed well at that level. There is no pressure on them and we are keen for their development to be managed in the right way and be comfortable. As a club we also need to manage expectations as players develop differently. It's vital for the club that the u19 players see that there is a pathway through to the first team and if they work hard and perform they will get a chance."

Drawing their first game 2-2 against a hard well drilled NFA side they then went on to beat a well-established Wrexham team 4-0, then delivered a well-deserved 2-1 win in a really hard-fought game against Penrhyn Bay last Friday 15th October.

Speaking to Rich Williams u19s coach following the win over Penrhyn Bay he had the following to say “It was a really great atmosphere down at Treborth, this team are creating a real buzz throughout the club. Friday night football is really starting to bring out more spectators and expectations for this exciting new team. We had another solid performance tonight against a Penrhyn Bay team full of talent . First half was one sided and we took the game to Penrhyn, playing on the front foot and applying pressure like we had discussed. A great Ceri Lois finish given us a 1-0 advantage at half time but really should have been a lot more but for last gasp defending, excellent saves or unlucky finishes.

Second half we knew Penrhyn Bay would come at us from the off and they did, we found it hard to gain control of the game, maintain meaningful possession and this showed with Penrhyn creating chances where they previously hadn't. A great solo effort from Gwen Roberts on 50 mins gave us a 2-0 cushion but a goal for Penrhyn on the hour never allowed us to relax until the final whistle and we had to work extremely hard to see the game out. Fair play to the team as the effort till the end was magnificent and I feel we deserved the three points in the end. We still have a lot to work on but definitely gaining momentum and the buzz around the players at present is exciting and we will see what they can achieve and take this on to the next game.”

If you are aged 16-18 years old and are interested in joining our squad please get in contact by e-mailing
U19sec.Cpdmbangor@gmail.com or seniors.cpmbangor@gmail.com

The u19's play home games at Treborth so if you are not interested in playing then why not come down to watch and show your support for the team.

Next up will be a few home games against Northop Hall Girls on Friday 29th October 2021 followed by TNS on Friday 5th November 2021 .