The Football Association of Wales earlier today announced that Wales and England C would do battle for a third time, this time at The Oval in Caernarfon.
Two years after it was originally scheduled, the North Wales capital of Welsh domestic football will play host to a fixture that has been embraced by those in the Cymru Premier.
Players who otherwise wouldn’t get the opportunity to pull on the red shirt of Wales and belt out Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau now get the chance.
Wales are still yet to get a win over England under Mark Jones in the two matches that they’ve played in both Barry and Salford.
Given the time elapsed since he first announced his squad with players moving on, we suggest the team that could line up in two months’ time.
In between the sticks has to be Dave Jones, who this season has been on form, conceding just 22 goals this season.
We saw Alex Ramsay and Ashley Morris play there in recent years and both will be vying for that number two shirt. Morris probably more as he’s conceded the same amount as Jones and has somewhat revitalised his career at Penybont.
It’s becoming an increasing trend to play with three centre-backs and wing-backs these days so to adapt with the times, we’re going to follow that.
Keston Davies is included from The New Saints who was in the league at the last time of the squad but not called up. It may have been down to previously playing in the Football League though he made just eight appearances.
Davies is part of a TNS defence that has conceded just 13 goals this season, so putting him in there would be worthwhile.
Playing alongside Davies are Dan Jefferies of Penybont and Kieran Mills-Evans from Newtown.
Mills-Evans had a taste of being involved in the Wales C fixture, being called upon two occasions. The Robins are second in the league with a game in hand and haven’t conceded many. The 29-year-old has been a loyal custodian to the league and deserves to be rewarded.
Penybont are having a good season and you feel that some success could be coming their way in the future. One player who has shone for them since his arrival is Dan Jefferies.
Jefferies has bounced back from releases at professional clubs and rekindled his love for football again. Part of the side that reached the playoffs last season and continuing that success in this campaign, he deserves a go at playing for Wales again.
With the three centre-backs chosen, it’s time to move on to the wing-backs. There’s not a common formation in the Cymru Premier but there seems to be an emphasis on central attacking players rather than wingers, hence why they’ve been chosen.
Joining Davies in the defence is namesake Danny Davies, who has performed well for the New Saints.
A Cymru Premier winner with the Nomads before a shock move to Park Hall, Davies has more than held his own and caused problems for opposition defences.
Topping off the defence is Mael Davies from Penybont. Davies can play in a number of roles but last season his preferred role was in defence, though he was still able to attack, score goals and get assists.
Appearing 14 times for Flint this season, Alex Jones has played a key role in the Silkmen’s ascension up the table.
Last season the Silkmen were second from bottom and now they’re battling for Europe. This season, Jones has got four assists and two goals and is flourishing under Neil Gibson, who he worked with at Prestatyn.
He’s a player that we don’t hear enough and is someone who has gone under the radar but a Wales C call-up could be his time to come out of the shadows.
Anchoring the midfield is the player that is the personification of the league, Aeron Edwards of Connah’s Quay.
The most coveted player in the division with ten league titles, Edwards would sit just nicely in a three-man midfield.
Topping off the midfield is Caernarfon Town’s Noah Edwards, who would be sure to get a good reception in front of his own supporters.
The 25-year-old has been in the league for a few years and this season he has got four goals and an assist in the 18 games that he’s played. Edwards is a tidy player who go can go from box to box.
Upfront, we’re going for the big man little man combo to cause England some problems. Last time out it was Chris Venables and Kayne McLaggon but this time we think Sam Snaith could be included.
With seven goals already this season, Snaith has his career-best in the Cymru Premier. The 21-year-old has started in 15 matches this season and with seven goals, he’s a threat in front of the goal.
Playing off him would be Kayne McLaggon who is the shining light in what is a poor season for Barry Town. McLaggon has nine goals this season and the Linnets remain reliant on him as their main source of goals.
The former Southampton striker found the back of the net in the 2-2 draw from a clever set-piece trick and his experience could be needed again.
The predicted Wales C team that could line up against England C: Dave Jones, Mael Davies, Keston Davies, Dan Jefferies, Kieran Mills-Evans, Danny Davies, Aeron Edwards, Alex Jones, Noah Edwards, Kayne McLaggon, Sam Snaith.
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