U14 team mark quartet of league victories

Congratulations to our U14 Academy team who were yesterday been announced as the winners of the U14 Northern Academy Cup for the 2019/20 season.

When the season was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the team had played eight games in the Super Six format, winning six and drawing two games. This saw them at the top of their respective table, ahead of Cefn Druids, TNS, Newtown, Airbus and Caernarfon Town.

As with the First Team, U19 and U18 teams, the league was then decided on a points-per-game basis meaning that The Nomads had averaged 2.50 points thanks to their unbeaten record, with Cefn Druids the nearest challengers on 2.13 points after winning five, drawing two and losing one game.

In a similar vein to the outstanding defensive records of the first team, the U14s only conceded seven goals in their eight games played leaving them with a goal difference of 30, having scored 37 - an average of 4.6 goals per game.

On the awarding of the title, U14 Head Coach Leighton Sumner said; "Whilst it's not the ideal way to finish a league campaign, a lot of hard work has gone into it and it is still fantastic news to receive. I'm absolutely delighted for the players who have been nothing short of sensational having gone the whole season undefeated and only drawn two of our games and although the season was cut short, we only actually had two games left to play, an incredible effort by all involved!

On top of this, the boys were also Northern Futsal Champions which highlights even further what a strong group they are and just how much they have put in.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Mick Nixon who assisted me this season and did a wonderful job, thanks to all the parents for their support and I wish the boys all the success for next season and hope they continue to progress as they move into the U15s with their new coaching team."

Director of Football Jay Catton added; "It's another incredible achievement for the club in having our U14s crowned North Wales Academy Cup Champions. Like the first team, the side have completed the double following on from their North Wales Academy Futsal title back in January.

Huge credit also goes to our U12s and U16s sides who narrowly missed out on North Wales league wins with hugely respectable second and third places finishes in their respective leagues.

Immense credit goes to all Academy Cup staff this season including Ben Nash and Anthony Weaver with the U12s, Mick Nickson with the U14s and Dale Johnson and Matt Griffiths with the U16s.

A special mention has to go to U14s Head Coach and Head of Youth Phase at the club, Leighton Sumner, who has led this department along with heading up the U14s. This is the third time he has coached a North Wales and National Title winning side at the Academy which is an incredible accolade in itself.

One of the most pleasing things across all of our success in these age groups this year is the development of our players. The U14s have a total of 14 players within the squad who have been with the club since U8s and across Mini Phase which also highlights the huge work of coaching and development that is being done over a sustained period across the Academy.

A huge well done to all of the players involved and a special note to all of the parents for their incredible commitment and support across the whole season."

Date Published: Saturday, 30th May, 2020 - 12:10pm by Nik Mesney