Comment: JD Cymru North Player of the Year shortlist

However, it does not stop us from looking back at some of the top performers during an entertaining campaign so far.

Dean Jones picks his ten player JD Cymru North Player of the Year shortlist.

Mark Cadwallader (Flint Town United)

The lively forward has been at the top of his game for the Silkmen once again this season and has played a leading role in the club’s title challenge.

He is firmly established as one of the best players operating outside of the top-flight after a campaign littered with consistent performances and important goals.

United will eventually fall short of the championship for the second straight year, but Cadwallader has played a significant part in their rise from relegation fighters to promotion contenders under Niall McGuinness.

The future looks incredibly bright for a player that has developed a real nous for being in the right place at the right time and making things happen in the final third.

Kai Edwards (Prestatyn Town)

Edwards was one of a number of high-profile signings made by the Seasiders’ last summer, and the former Wales C international has lived up to lofty expectations.

He has been a commanding presence at the back for Neil Gibson’s men, who are well on course for a return to the JD Cymru Premier after an exceptional season.

The centre half is a vastly experienced player and has used all this to his advantage throughout the campaign. He has also been a real threat at the other end of the pitch during set-pieces to further enhance his overall influence.

Edwards is a top-flight player playing in the second tier, but his decision to drop down and help his hometown club back to the top of the Welsh pyramid was a good one.

Jake Eyre (Gresford Athletic)

While Athletic may have been inconsistent throughout the season, the same cannot be said of Eyre.

He has been at his brilliant best for the majority of the campaign, which was aided by the player developing a real ruthless streak in front of goal.

Eyre has always had a tremendous amount of potential, and he now boasts the second tier experience and composure to make the most of his opportunities at the business end of the pitch.

The sky is the limit for Eyre if he continues this upward trend, and who knows what position Steve Halliwell’s side would be in if it wasn’t for the forward’s outstanding season.

Adam Jenkins (Guilsfield)

The Guils’ have been the surprise package of the season so far once again, and Jenkins has played a telling role in their incredible season.

The talented playmaker has come up with the goods in front of goal and possesses a fantastic work ethic that has been the catalyst behind the Guils’ success this term.

They remain in prime position for a second-place finish behind Prestatyn Town, which would represent arguably the finest achievement in the club’s history.

Jenkins is a very influential figure within the set-up and has produced some memorable moments of magic to make him worthy of a place on the shortlist.

Mike Jones (Guilsfield)

It has been an incredible rise back to prominence for Jones since he arrived at the Guils. Another outstanding campaign has cemented his position as one of the best shot-stoppers in the league.

After struggling at the likes of Caernarfon Town and Prestatyn Town, the keeper has enjoyed a new lease of life in mid-Wales.

This has brought some incredible performances that have gone a long way towards the Guils’ potentially securing their highest ever league finish.

Jones has worked exceptionally hard to get his career back on track, which is something he deserves a tremendous amount of credit for.

Ben Maher (Prestatyn Town)

A gifted playmaker who has been a revelation this season, few that have witnessed Maher in action for the Seasiders’ this term would argue his place on the shortlist.

He is an incredibly influential player with the ball at his feet. Maher also provides a significant threat from free-kicks and has come up with some vital goals for Town.

His vision sets him apart from other players in the league operating at the same position, which bodes well for his expected second tilt at the JD Cymru Premier next season.

Maher has been at the heart of everything good at Prestatyn this season, becoming an indispensable member of the squad in the process.

Iwan Matthews (Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant)

Matthews has been at the very top of his game for Marc Griffiths’ side this season as the club looks set for a top half finish.

This is a fantastic achievement given their wage budget and Matthews can be immensely proud of the contribution he has made. The player is a real livewire in the attacking third and defends really well from the front.

Matthews is a lethal finisher who is also more than capable of making things happen for himself. He is a prolific presence in a Llanrhaeadr squad that has once again overachieved this term.

Tom McCready (Colwyn Bay)

It has been a fantastic first season back in the Welsh domestic system for Colwyn Bay, and McCready has been right at the centre of it.

The accomplished midfielder is arguably the best central midfielder in the JD Cymru North and has driven Craig Hogg’s side to an expected top-four finish. His composure on the ball and aility to pick out the right pass every time is a real standout feature of his play.

McCready, who was appointed skipper after agreeing to remain at the club last summer, has also produced the good with the goalscoring opportunities that have come his way.

This also includes a last impression from set-pieces, and if the Bay can keep the player around next season they are going to go very close to the title.

Dan Roberts (Prestatyn Town)

While other more established names have hit the headlines for Prestatyn this season, Roberts’ contribution cannot be underestimated.

The energetic full-back is a considerable force at both ends of the pitch and plays with a ruthless aggression that has made him a real fan-favourite at the Motion Finance Stadium.

Roberts is still very young in footballing terms, so the potential for improvement is vast and Neil Gibson will be all too aware of the player he has at his disposal if the boss can continue to progress him in the right way.

His commitment, energy and quality of delivery have been key components of his efforts this season, which have gone a long way to all-but securing the title for the Seasiders.

Lucas Surber (Bangor City)

The German centre half is a dominant presence for the Citizens’ at the back and is one of the primary reasons Pedro Pasculli’s side boast one of the best defensive records in the league.

Surber is an aggressive player who is a real force in the air, and he is also accomplished with the ball at his feet.

The player has also notched some vital goals at the other end to increase his overall contribution to the improving set-up, who have undergone mass changes and look finally to be on the up after a difficult three-year spell.