Chris Hugh and Macauley Southam-Hales have dazzled so far this season and it does beg the question whether they’re the best full-back pairing in the JD Welsh Premier League?
Both Southam-Hales and Hugh have shown their swagger and quality in an attacking sense, as well as defensively in what has been a magnificent start to the season for Gavin Chesterfield’s men.
Heading into today’s game at home against struggling Llandudno, they are just three points away from leaders, Connah’s Quay Nomads, who thrashed Llanelli Town 6-0 to move to the top of the JD Welsh Premier League table.
They can move to second in the table with a win today after The New Saints suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Aberystwyth Town at Park Hall on Friday evening.
And one of the main reasons for their astonishing form this season is their full-backs – Southam-Hales and Hugh, who have both been excellent.
Their tenacity in an attacking sense has caused defences problems all season and after their latest home win – a 5-2 win over Llanelli Town at Jenner Park, they were praised by Barry manager, Chesterfield, who lauded both of his full-backs for how much of an impact they have made in the Linnets attack so far this season.
Hugh has scored twice this season already and the Wales C international is arguably one of the best full-backs of the season. The versatile Southam-Hales has made the full-back position his own, too – and he gets fans on their feet with his directness and adroitness he has within his disposal.
The zip he has going forward makes him a threat to any side he comes up against and it is no doubt him and Hugh will play a big part in Barry’s attack moving forward.
And if they continue in this vein, there is no reason why they can’t challenge for the title. They look the real deal and they have given Chesterfield’s side a whole new element, as they aim for a dream return to Europe for the first time in 15 years.
Chris Marriott and Simon Spender of The New Saints have shown that they have also made a case for being the best full-back pairing in the Welsh top flight, but Hugh and Southam-Hales have come into their own this season in what has been a phenomenal start to the season for the Linnets, who have a 100% home record heading into today’s clash against Llandudno at Jenner Park.
(Featured image: Rhys Skinner)
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