“Shaun thoroughly deserves this accolade to round off a fantastic 1st season at Plainmoor”
Dom Roman – @DomRoman
The TT Editor presents the TUFC Player Ratings for the glorious month of silverware that was April 19:
No. Name and April TT Rating
TT PLAYER OF THE MONTH
1) Shaun MacDonald 7.0
A goalkeeper in a top team is unlikely to top a Player Ratings list very often, they just won’t be that busy! But Shaun Mac takes the POTM honours for April and thoroughly deserves this accolade to round off a fantastic first season at Plainmoor. Apart from the 1st Woking goal that just slipped past his grasp, Mac has been solid and reliable as always – collecting crosses, communicating with the back four and keeping his concentration as the opposition threatens. His celebrations for Andrews clincher V Eastbourne just illustrate his passion for this team, even if he was knackered straight after! Well done Shaun.
2) Frankie Vincent 6.9
If you had to sum up Frankie in one word it would be ‘tidy’. It took him a few games to break into Gary Johnson’s XI, but once he did, the midfielder has been very accomplished. Adept at keeping possession and moving into space to help others, not flash but positive and skilful. Vincent will no doubt be courted by a few teams this summer, but who knows maybe we haven’t seen the last of him at Plainmoor.
Man of the Match – Eastbourne and Chippenham
3) Connor Lemonheigh-Evans 6.9
CLE’s form has been a little up and down this month, with poor displays against Woking and Chippenham – but much better V Eastbourne and St Albans. Connor is a proper footballer, someone who always seeks involvement in a game and wants to influence proceedings. For the last couple of fixtures he has shown his versatility in a supporting role with Reidy, and finished the season off with a class performance in the four-goal romp over St Albans.
Man of the Match – St Albans
4) Ben Wynter 6.8
It’s been a ‘Wynter Wonderland’ in recent months (I’ve held onto this pun long enough..), with Ben receiving the plaudits from the Yellow Army and deservedly so. He actually had a poor game at Woking, but scored that goal so I’ll let him off! Apart from that the defender has been positive and purposeful, flying into tackles against Hungerford to make him a worthy TT MOTM. A determined young man still improving and ready for the challenge of National League football.
Man of the Match – Hungerford
5) Opi Edwards 6.7
Opi finally returned to action in April and showed glimpses of what we’ve been missing since the winger suffered injury a few months back. The City youngster got on the scoresheet at St Albans and probably wishes the season could go on for another month! Another loanee who may find his way back to Plainmoor…fitness permitting.
6) Kyle Cameron 6.6
‘The Northern Rock’ was reasonably solid during April, though there were wobbles especially against Woking and the defence looked hesitant as the season finished. He’ll remain first choice centre back for 19-20, and will have to keep improving as the opposition becomes sterner. I’m sure it’s a challenge the Geordie will relish.
7) Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala 6.5
Kalvin started very well in April against Chelmsford, but then had a quiet game at Woking as the aggressive Cards defence took the sting out of his wing play. It then took him until the St Albans fixture to regain that sparkle we’ve seen so often this season. Two goals (one in record-breaking time) ensured a happy end to 18-19 for KLK. The winger has all the tricks and pace to burn; he could take the NL by storm.
8) Jamie Reid 6.3
The newly crowned ‘NLS Player of the Season’ had a mixed month in April. There were fantastic goals against Chelmsford and Woking, combined with penalty misses and below-par performances after the title had been won. Reidy gave his heart and soul to the cause this season and became the terrace favourite he’d probably always hoped of being. He’s one of our own after all.
Man of the Match – Woking
9) Ryan Dickson 6.3
Ryan Dickson didn’t have the 18-19 I’m sure he was expecting. Instead of being an integral part of a TUFC title charge, his appearances have been largely limited by the City young guns. April saw Dicko finally claw his way back into Gary’s starting line-up, and show glimpses of the quality we’d anticipated from him last summer.
10) Jake Andrews 6.3
Jake never really ranked highly on the Player Ratings list this season, and April was no different. He’s not a natural winger and found the experience visibly frustrating at times. However, Jake still grabbed a slice of glory with a goal against Eastbourne, and has the talent to take him far.
The Rest
11) Liam Davis – 6.2
12) Olaf Kozsela – 6.0
13) Jean-Yves Koue Niate – 5.8
NOTES:
1) TT Rating is the average of the ratings (out of 10) from the TT Match Verdicts
2) Players only included if they have been rated in 50% or more of TUFC games
3) Players only rated in games if they have played more than 10 minutes
TORQUAYTALK 