Cambrian make swoop for four players as Ynyshir Albions begin their business
Merthyr, WALES - 17 May, 2022: Ynyshir Albions v Abertillery Bluebirds in the Ardal Southern Play-Off Final at The Bont Playing Fields on the 17th May 2022. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Cambrian & Clydach Vale have made their first bit of movement in the transfer market by bringing in four new players.
Harry Johnson, Jamie Bird, Jarrad Welch, and Liam Eason have all joined the Sky Blues for the upcoming 2022/23 Cymru South season.
Eason, a long-term target of Cambrian, makes the move from their Rhondda rivals Ynyshir Albions after a stellar campaign for the Buns last season.
The 24-year-old was the top scorer in the Ardal South West last season, scoring 27 goals as well as 12 assists in 28 appearances.
Eason in total got 36 goals in 40 games across all competitions and his goals helped Ynyshir, managed by former boss Dane Williams to promotion to the Cymru South.
“New season.. fresh challenge,” tweeted Eason, which was met by the reply of “Welcome mate. Great addition,” by his new manager Liam Eason.
After the departure of Cameron Clarke to Barry Town United, Cambrian moved quickly to sign up Harry Johnson from Cardiff Draconians.
The 20-year-old made forced his way from the reserves of the Dracs to become their first-choice goalkeeper, making nine clean sheets in all competitions. His last game with the Cardiff club was a 1-0 defeat in the final of the Ardal South Cup where he saved a penalty from Trethomas Bluebirds.
After his move was announced, the young shot-stopper said: “Looking forward to the new challenge.”
In response, his manager Scott Young said: “Welcome mate. Look forward to watching you perform under the training of Duncan Roberts.”
Two former Cardiff City youth academy players also were signed up with Jarrad Welch and Jamie Bird confirmed as new signings.
Welch had spent the 2021/22 season with Pontypridd United and then Canton Liberal in the South Wales Alliance League.
The 23-year-old made six appearances in total for the Libs, scoring four goals and an assist after his two goals in 16 games for the Dragons.
The centre-midfielder was at Cardiff City for a chunk of his career before spells in the English non-league with Cinderford Town, Weston-super-mare, and Merthyr Town.
Topping off their business for this period at least is the addition of striker Bird who was in the system at Cardiff when Young worked there with the academy.
For the past few years, the former Bluebird has floated in and out of the Welsh domestic game, joining clubs like Treowen Stars and Barry Town United, in between spells at Bristol manor Farm.
The 24-year-old scored four goals in seven games last season in the Ardal South East for Treowen.
Commenting on his move to Tonypandy, he said: “Get this knee sorted & it’s go time baby,” which was met with the response of “Welcome aboard mate another be good to work with again by Young.
Their local rivals Ynyshir have also began to recruit for the upcoming campaign and have recruited a former Cambrian player.
Jake Thomas has put pen-to-paper on a deal that will see him ply his trade at Ynyshir Oval for the 2022/23 campaign.
Last season, he turned out for Cambrian for the first part of the season before joining Llanelli Town. The 20-year-old defender played 25 games across all competitions, keeping eight clean sheets.
Dane Williams and his staff have also brought in goalkeeper Luke Evans after being forced to play himself in goal in the Ardal South Cup play-off final.
The 27-year-old joins from Ton Pentre, who were relegated from the Ardal South West. Evans played in 25 matches last season, keeping one clean sheet.
