All-Conquering Lido Youth Ready to do it Again!


Promising Academy

By Webmaster/Rheolwr y Wefan
September 14 2003

Afan Lido's impressive youth academy's all-conquering U-14 youth team are looking to continue an impressive run of form as they enter the 2003/04 season, at a higher age level. CARLOS EDWARDS

ALL-CONQUERING YOUTH TEAM SET TO STORM ANOTHER SEASON

A junior football team from Port Talbot are looking to continue an impressive run of form as they enter the 2003/04 season.

Afan Lido U-15s step up an age level after sweeping the board at U-14 level last term.

Managed by Ivor Beynon and coached by Gary Cokely, the team shone in both local and national competition as they climbed their way to the top of the UK football charts.

And now the Lido youth side are looking to conquer the country once again at Under 15 level as they strive to eclipse the form that made them the outstanding prospects of last season.

Having won every game in the Port Talbot and District League Championship to claim the League title, they also went on to triumph in the Port Talbot and District League Cup. This was followed by victory on a national level through winning the Boys Clubs of Wales 11-a-side championship. They also achieved success at 5-a-side level, being crowned Boys Clubs of Wales Champions at both Welsh and British level on such a stage.

Manager Ivor Beynon said: “All season in all competitions Afan Lido managed to win every League and Cup game played in, losing only one 5-a-side match against a top English side. Their behaviour was impeccable as they didn’t collect a single booking or red card. We are immensely proud of the team’s achievements and they could all go on to achieve great things.”

The team achieved a scoring record of 293 goals at 11-a-side level, averaging 8 goals a game throughout the season, which culminated in being selected for Neath Port Talbot Junior Team of the Year.

A number of players also managed to clock up some impressive accomplishments. Thomas Wellington and Ryan Needs won Boys Clubs of Wales Welsh caps, whilst Mark Jones, Scott Barnett and Shaun Morgan made the Welsh Schoolboy Squad. Morgan and Barnett were named Afan Nedd Player and Players Player of the Year respectively and Mark Jones picked up the Golden Boot by netting a tremendous 118 goals throughout the campaign.

This season the team will be looking to further their conquests at Under 15 level, carrying on a tradition of success in the Afan Lido youth system.

Afan Lido U-14s

Back row: Ivor Beynon (manager), R Needs, S Morgan (capt), S Barnett, M Jones, K Roberts, L Duggan, D Williams, Gary Cokely (coach).

Front row: M Buckley, J Selby, R Hopkins, M Stanton, S Headington, B Morgan, L Beynon.

Not pictured: T Wellington, S Anwar, J Cokely.

Sponsorship: First Choice Taxis

Richard Taylor

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