The evolution of Will Evans: Lakesiders midfielder on his recent rise to prominence

Bala Town currently lie in fifth position in the JD Cymru Premier with games in hand over the two teams immediately above them – Penybont and Barry Town United – and a key part of their encouraging start has been Will Evans.

The midfielder, who joined the Lakesiders from Cardiff Metropolitan ahead of the new season, has put in a host of stellar performances for Colin Caton’s side in recent weeks.

Evans’ five years with the Archers saw him improve season upon season as he grew into one of the league’s most dangerous outlets.

He netted 12 times in all competitions for Christian Edwards’ side last season, seven of which came in the league.

The Llangedwyn-born talisman recently starred against Penybont, where his second-half performance inspired his team to come from one down to win 5-1. Evans scored two, assisted one and won a penalty on the day.

His energetic nature and improved composure in front of goal means he has become a handful for oppositition defenders.

“It’s a privilege to be playing with him and I’ll learn a massive amount from him – I have done already.’’

Will Evans ⚽⚽

Y Bala ar y blaen | Will Evans with his second as Bala Town take the lead

56’ Pen-y-bont 1-2 @BalaTownFC #JDCymruPremier🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/uX1Ah3tvo0
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) September 26, 2020

Evans is looking forward to the rest of the season, and is hoping to push his side to European football once again next summer.

“The manager set some aims and targets for us this year,” he explained.

“Absolute bare minimum, I think we have to get top-six.

“We want to be in the top three and we definitely want to push the likes of The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads.“

Bala Town have already played last season’s top-two teams. They were denied victory away at the Nomads on the opening day when Sameron Dool scored a goal of the season contender in stoppage time, and were level-pegging with the Saints at 2-2 – having led 2-0 – when the game was abandoned in the 88th minute due to a floodlight issue.

“We’ve played both teams already, albeit the TNS game was eventually abandoned. Against Connah’s Quay we drew to a 94^th minute wonder-strike after playing really well on the day. It shows we’re not that far off.“

Evans insists that while his current goal-scoring rate could see him competing for the Golden Boot come the end of the season, his concentrations will remain on simply playing the game to the best of his ability.

‘’I just want to enjoy it,’’ he said. ‘’When I’m enjoying my football the most, that’s when I’m most prolific in front of goal.’’

Featured image (Lewis Mitchell / YCPD)

The 23-year-old’s maturity was on show in the Lakesiders’ 5-2 win over Aberystwyth Town on Saturday, when he inspired another comeback, this time with a header from a corner to level the game at 1-1.

Will Evans ⚽
Evans yn unioni’r sgôr | Bala get the equaliser
39’ @BalatownFC 1-1 Aberystwyth #JDCymruPremier 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/fE4grBHDr4
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) October 10, 2020

Y Clwb Pêl-Droed caught up with the exciting talent this week to ask him about life at Bala so far, how he’s been progressing and what it’s like to play with Chris Venables – one of the most prolific goal-scorers the league has seen.

“With everything that’s been going on in the world itself, the transition was made a bit easier,” he said on his move back home.

“I spoke to Colin [Caton] about Bala and he sold it to me by telling me their ambitions for the season.“

Bala have been unlucky at times this season, having twice dropped points due to goals conceded in injury time. However Evans is encouraged when looking at the overall picture.

“We’ve had a few last minute goals that have cost us already this year, but we’ve shown glimpses of what we can do and hopefully we can continue that for the rest of the season.“

Alluding to his improved maturity, the youngster believes it is something which simply comes with age.

“I think I’ve learned to improve my decision making on the ball and my final ball has been a bit sharper.

“I think that just comes from experience of playing lots of games.

“This year, I’ve come to Bala and there’s a clear way they want to play and it’s worked for me so far.’’

Evans has already scored four goals in the league this season after just five games.

“It’s all well and good saying it after five games, but I want to be, hopefully, 30 games down the line saying I’m hitting them good goal-scoring numbers and getting as many assists as I can,” he said.

Last season’s performances earned him a place in the Wales C squad, who were set to face England C at The Oval in March this year, but the tie was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“I remember the day.

“I was actually having a really bad day and I was on my way back from work placement and I had a phone call off a random number.

“I let it go because I didn’t want to answer it, and I had a voicemail off Jonah [Wales C manager Mark Jones] saying ‘give me a ring back, it’s about Wales C.’ So straight away, I phoned him back.

“It was a really proud moment for me. I’ve tried to push myself into the squad for the last couple of years now, so to finally make the cut, I was over the moon.’’

Evans has been linking up with four-time Cymru Premier Golden Boot winner and captain of Bala Town, Chris Venables, and their partnership is already beginning to show promising signs.

“I’m learning off one of the best players in the league; he has been for a long time, his goal-scoring record speaks for itself.

Chris Venables of Bala Town celebrates scoring a penalty against Penybont. Penybont v Bala Town at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 26th September 2020. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.