Mark Jones takes his Wales C team to Salford’s City’s Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday to face their counterparts from England, but what starting line-up is he likely to opt for?
The Dragons will be looking for revenge following a 3-2 defeat to the Three Lions at Jenner Park in Barry last March.
The best players from the Welsh Premier League have been selected to take on an England side which consists mostly of players from the National League – the fifth tier of English football.
Goalkeeper
Alex Ramsay (Caernarfon Town)
The Cofis keeper has had a fine campaign between the sticks for the North Wales side, who have impressed in their first season back in the top flight.
Sean Eardley’s side boast the fourth-best defence in the league in terms of goals conceded. Letting in 38 goals, they have conceded just 1.4 times on average in their 27 league games to date.
Ramsay has had a big part to play in Caernarfon’s positive season to date, and will back himself to edge out Bala Town’s Ashley Morris to win a starting berth.
Defence
Dylan Rees (Cardiff Metropolitan)
The Archers full-back was not in the squad this time last week, however the withdrawal of Llandudno’s Kai Edwards created an opportunity for Rees to be included.
Edwards is not an out-and-out right-back, while Rees is well-accustomed to this position, which he takes up regularly for the Students.
His attacking instincts ,coupled with the defensive nous that any good full-back requires means that should he be selected, Wales will have an extra attacking option down the flank which they may not have had prior to his call-up.
Joel Edwards (Cardiff Metropolitan)
Another regular in the Archers’ defensive line, Edwards’ stock has risen in recent times, reflected by his inclusion in the squad.
Comfortable with the ball at his feet, and more than capable of playing a more direct style if needed, the 27-year-old will surely be in Jones’ mind as a potential starter.
You feel that team-mate Emlyn Lewis will have a big part to play in whether or not he starts.
Emlyn Lewis (Cardiff Metropolitan)
As alluded to above, it’s reasonable to expect that if one of the Cardiff Met centre-back’s start, the other will too.
The other option is Cefn Druids’ Nathan Peate, who has a real case for starting after a consistent season in the Welsh Premier League.
However, you feel that Jones will want that familiarity that playing two club-mate’s together provides.
Chris Hugh (Barry Town United)
The left-back position appears to be all but nailed down by the Barry wing-back, who has had a wonderful season for the high-flying Linnets.
A real modern-day wing-back, Hugh is as comfortable going forward as he is defending.
An extra outlet in attack, Hugh’s ability to cross the ball could be pivotal with target men such as Kayne McLaggon and Liam Thomas in the squad.
Midfield
Aeron Edwards (The New Saints)
A starter in the reverse fixture in Barry last year, the TNS regular will surely not be far away from a starting place this time round.
One of the stand-out performers the last time he pulled the Wales shirt on, Edwards has continued on and has had another strong season for the reigning-Welsh Premier League champions.
An energetic midfielder, his ability to cover masses of space will be vital to the team, as they look to prevent England getting into good positions too often.
Robbie Patten (Barry Town United)
One of the best performers for the Linnets in what has been an outstanding season in just their second year back in the top flight.
Patten has been part of a Barry midfield that has helped to provide opportunities for forward’s McLaggon and Momodou Touray to rack up the goals.
The 22-year-old may be best served in a deeper, holding role for this game. The presence of a deep-lying player to break up the play would provide Wales with more defence solidity.
Henry Jones (Bala Town)
The Lakesiders playmaker would provide a good balance to the midfield, with Edwards and Patten being the more workmanlike players, Jones’ creativity and goal-scoring threat would give variety to a midfield three.
Contributing 10 goals to date in the league this season, the second most behind Steven Tames (17), Jones has shown that he knows where the net is.
The midfield is an area of real strength for Wales, with players like Chris Venables, Jordan Cotterill and Clayton Green among those who will feel that their performances this season merit a starting place.
Attack
Eliot Evans (Cardiff Metropolitan)
A player with real creative and goal-scoring ability, the Archers playmaker could prove to be a real asset for the team.
Comfortable in numerous positions, whether in midfield, on the wing or through the middle, Evans has the potential to be a real nuisance with his tendency to occupy numerous areas of the pitch.
Team-mate Adam Roscrow will fancy his chances of starting, especially after netting four goals in a recent league win against Llanelli Town; and we could well see the pair starting together.
Danny Brookwell (Caernarfon Town)
Another success story to come from the Cofis this season, Brookwell provides a good option on the wing – should Jones opt to go with a formation that includes wingers.
Netting five goals in the league and contributing in more areas than solely goal-scoring, Brookwell is a likely candidate to start on Tuesday evening.
Canaries fans will be all too keen to tell you why the winger should start for his country, and you feel that even if he doesn’t play from the first minute, his contribution off the bench could be valuable.
Kayne McLaggon (Barry Town United)
10 goals in the league, and a hat-trick against Cambrian & Clydach Vale in the last round of the JD Welsh Cup, the Dragons striker will have a lot to offer as Wales go in search of a win in Salford.
An imposing, physical forward, McLaggon possesses a clinical touch that has seen him top the goal-scoring charts for Gavin Chesterfield’s side in recent years.
The Old Gold’s Thomas will be pushing hard for a starting shirt, and his 18 goals in the league, the joint-highest, mean that his selection would be difficult to argue with.
In all honesty, this is one of the toughest choices that Jones will have to make, and the side will not be worse-off with either starting.
(Featured image: Will Cheshire)
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