Harry Pinchard

Every season, Non-League football produces players ready to take the next step. Some are already making noise at their level, some are looking for the right opportunity, and others simply deserve more recognition.

This list is not a ranking of the “best” young players in Non-League football. Instead, it highlights eleven players who, in my opinion, are worth keeping a close eye on this season.

Redman Evans

Goalkeeper | Free Agent

Career Path:

Swindon Town
Westbury United
Hungerford Town
Alvechurch

Age:

Standing at 6’3 and possessing a broad wingspan, Evans is a great shot-stopper with a good amount of experience already under his belt. The Swindon Town Academy product has enjoyed spells at Westbury United (Step 4), Hungerford Town (Step 3), and most recently spent the 25/26 season at Alvechurch FC (Step 3), where he kept 12 clean sheets in 40 league appearances for the Church — a tally good enough for 5th in the league’s clean sheet charts despite Alvechurch finishing 14th.

Evans is comfortable claiming crosses and high balls within his own box, using every bit of his rangy frame to pluck balls out of the air. He also shows a good understanding of when to come and claim, when to punch clear, and when to remain on his line and set himself to make the save.

As mentioned, Evans’ biggest strength is his shot-stopping. He has a tremendous ability to get across his goal and produce impressive full-stretch saves to deny opposition chances. Much of this comes from the power he generates through his lower body; he gets a fantastic launch off his feet, propelling himself across his line and allowing him to make outstanding saves that many other goalkeepers at the level simply would not reach.

He is also clearly a very hardworking player away from the pitch. During his time at Westbury, Evans was a rather slight goalkeeper who, despite his height and length, could occasionally be pushed around from set pieces. With the direction modern football has taken, adding more weight and strength to his frame was something he very much needed to do — and he has certainly achieved that. He now looks far more physically developed, has grown into his frame well, and appears capable of handling the demands of a full season while also gaining the added width needed to smother the ball effectively in 1v1 situations.

Evans’ main area for improvement is when he has the ball at his feet. He is by no means poor in possession; however, he is still some way off the very best goalkeepers at the level when it comes to passing range and footwork on the ball, with Zaki Oualah and Jared Thompson being two examples that come to mind as keepers who excel in this area. Because of this, Evans may find his options slightly more limited to clubs who do not require as much ball-playing responsibility from their number one.

On the mental side of the game, I think Evans could become more aggressive when dealing with balls into the box from set pieces. At times, he can be discouraged from coming out to collect when there are a lot of bodies around him, but given the physical improvements he has made, he should trust his frame more and use it to his advantage.

I could see Evans signing for a Step 2 side in line with his development as a goalkeeper and finally settling into a team now that he has been released by Swindon Town. But with many clubs in the area having locked down their shot stopper, another season at Step 3 may be on the cards.

Max Hudson

Left-back | Brentwood Town

Career Path:

Tottenham Hotspur
Hertford Town
Ipswich Town
Concord Rangers
Hayes & Yeading
Dulwich Hamlet

Age:

Hudson is an athletic and energetic fullback who has spent time with Hayes & Yeading, Concord Rangers, Dulwich Hamlet, and most recently Brentwood Town following his release from the Ipswich Town Academy. The 21-year-old fullback endured a difficult 24/25 season with Dulwich, with the club finishing just above the relegation zone. However, he showed consistent enough flashes of the player he could become for newly promoted Brentwood to give him the opportunity to make the left-back spot his own during a massively successful season for the Blues, finishing 5th and narrowly missing out on promotion to the National League South.

Pacey and dynamic, Hudson looks to use his physical attributes consistently to positively impact games. He frequently breaks down the channel to support his winger, whether that be through overlapping runs or by offering himself as a passing option. When he receives possession in the final third, Hudson is a player the opposition need to close down quickly, as he poses a real threat with his crossing ability. He looks to whip balls into dangerous areas while always getting his head up to place deliveries into spaces where his forwards can attack and get shots away.

The fullback also possesses great quality from dead-ball situations, particularly corners. His delivery is consistently accurate when it comes to finding his targets, and he has the ability to create chances from both floated and drilled corners. Combining this with his previously mentioned ability to cross from open play, it also gives his side the option of playing short corners to work the ball back to Hudson from a more favourable angle for delivery.

His pace is also a major factor defensively, allowing him to make impressive recovery challenges and giving him the ability to rarely be completely taken out of the game. He also has a strong reading of situations and looks to cover intelligently when teammates move out of position, whether they step forward to pressure the ball or follow their man into midfield from the defensive line. This helps ensure large pockets of space are not left for opposition players to exploit.

Where Hudson could look to improve is on the mental side of the game. There are moments throughout matches where he does not look entirely engaged, leading to situations where he gets caught flat-footed or loses awareness of his man. These lapses in concentration can create significant pressure on his teammates, forcing them to recover situations that could have been avoided. There is no doubting his athletic attributes, but at times he can appear to switch off during defensive transitions and be caught jogging back into position rather than sprinting to recover. It is these moments of lethargy that can create opportunities for opposition forwards and prevent him from fully maximising the physical tools he possesses.

Missing out on promotion in the playoff final will have undoubtedly stung for both Hudson and Brentwood, but I expect them to use that pain as motivation heading into the coming season.

Owen Dore

Centre-back | Poole Town

Career Path:

North Leigh
Salisbury

Age:

After an outstanding season with Poole Town, where he played a key role in the joint-best defensive record in the Southern League Premier Division South and was deservedly named the club’s Young Player of the Season, the 21-year-old has committed to another year at Tatnam. Both player and club will undoubtedly have their sights set on another promotion challenge.

Given both his age and ability, it would not have been surprising to have seen Step 2 clubs make approaches for Dore this summer. His decision to re-sign is a significant endorsement of the culture being built by Pat Suraci and Joe Lea at Poole Town.

Dore is the archetypal modern centre-back, combining an impressive physical profile with strong technical ability, making him an ideal fit for Poole’s style of play. What sets him apart from many central defenders at Step 3 is the variety of his physical attributes. While the level is often populated by defenders who are tall and physically imposing but lack mobility, Dore possesses the same size and strength while also being relatively quick across the ground. This combination makes it extremely difficult for opposition forwards to create separation. If they cannot beat him for pace, he is more than capable of using his strength and body positioning to ease attackers off the ball and break up dangerous situations.

In possession, Dore is equally influential. Comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and equipped with an excellent passing range, he frequently creates problems for the opposition. Teams that press him risk being beaten as he is capable of carrying the ball past his marker before progressing play into midfield, either through an incisive pass or by continuing his run. If opponents choose to sit off, he has the quality to switch play with accurate diagonal passes into the opposite channel, allowing Poole’s wide players to attack space and quickly turn defence into attack. Beyond his technical qualities, Dore demonstrates impressive game intelligence, consistently recognising when to drive forward, when to play through the lines, when to switch play, and when to remain patient to help his side maintain possession until a better opening presents itself.

The main area where I would like to see Dore develop further is his attacking contribution from set pieces. Considering his height, athleticism and aerial ability, he should pose a greater threat inside the opposition penalty area. Despite now having accumulated two seasons of senior football, he is yet to register his first goal. Whether this is down to movement, timing or simply a lack of aggression attacking crosses, there is clear scope for improvement. Becoming more assertive in attacking deliveries could add another valuable dimension to his game and allow him to influence tight matches where a single set-piece goal often proves decisive.

Alex Wilkie

Centre-back | Queens Park Rangers

Career Path:

Eastleigh
Winchester City
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Chippenham Town

Age:

You could argue that Wilkie goes against the theme of this article, but I have little doubt that QPR will once again send the young defender out on loan to continue his development in non-league football. After establishing himself as one of the brightest defensive prospects at Winchester City, where he impressed both as a centre-back and a full-back, Wilkie earned a move to QPR’s Under-21s before being sent on successive Step 2 loans with Hampton & Richmond Borough and Chippenham Town.

Neither spell, however, felt like the ideal environment for his development. His month at Hampton came during a period where the Beavers were enduring a difficult run of form and conceding goals regularly, making it difficult for a young defender to settle into an unstable back line. His move to Chippenham presented a different challenge, joining a side battling relegation where every mistake carried huge consequences. If QPR still see the potential in Wilkie that prompted them to sign him, this next loan move feels pivotal.

Wilkie is a physically imposing defender who combines his size with an impressive level of composure both in and out of possession. While he isn’t the most expansive passer, he is comfortable playing through the opposition’s press and progressing the ball into midfield to begin attacks. His previous experience at full-back is also evident in his willingness to carry possession forward when space opens up. Comfortable receiving under pressure, he rarely appears rushed and consistently makes calm, sensible decisions with the ball at his feet. There is a clear assurance to his game, understanding both what he wants to do in possession and the right moment to execute it.

His physical presence is equally important when defending his own penalty area. Wilkie is a dominant figure from defensive set pieces, using both his frame and strength to hold his position rather than allowing attackers to move him away from the flight of the ball. While he doesn’t possess explosive recovery pace, he more than compensates through intelligent positioning and his ability to dominate physical duels. He relishes direct battles with centre-forwards, regularly using his strength to force opponents away from goal, disrupt attacks and prevent dangerous situations from developing.

The next loan move will be one of the most important of Wilkie’s career. Rather than simply finding a club capable of offering regular minutes, QPR need to identify an environment that will actively develop the areas of his game capable of taking him towards first-team football. A possession-based side that expects its centre-backs to build attacks, defend higher up the pitch and spend sustained periods on the ball would provide far greater developmental value than another campaign spent defending deep for ninety minutes every week. If QPR still believe in the talent that earned him his move from Winchester City, placing him in the right environment could prove the difference between a player who fulfils his potential and one who returns permanently to the non-league pyramid.

Kai Hobbs

Right-back | Hayes & Yeading United

Career Path:

Binfield
Basingstoke Town
Uxbridge

Age:

One of the more surprising moves of the summer saw Kai Hobbs step down to Step 4 to join Hayes & Yeading United. The young full-back made 24 appearances for newly promoted Uxbridge last season after playing 30 times during the Reds’ promotion-winning 2024/25 campaign, making the decision to leave Step 3 somewhat unexpected. Whatever the reasoning behind the move, Hayes appear to have secured an excellent addition ahead of what promises to be a promotion push.

Despite his relatively slight frame, Hobbs is an aggressive and committed defender. He relishes one v one situations, constantly harrying opposition wingers and making life uncomfortable whenever they receive possession. Rather than relying on physical dominance, he uses intelligent footwork, strong body positioning and good anticipation to prevent attackers from beating him. Once possession is regained, he immediately looks to move the ball forward, helping his side exploit transitional moments before the opposition can recover their defensive shape.

Going forward, Hobbs is equally effective. He is an excellent crosser of the ball and regularly looks to deliver dangerous first-time crosses with pace and accuracy, allowing forwards to attack the delivery rather than waiting for it. A particularly impressive aspect of his game is his awareness before receiving possession. He constantly scans the pitch, allowing him to identify teammates’ movements and make quick decisions once the ball arrives. If an early delivery isn’t available, he is comfortable driving towards the byline before either flashing crosses across the six-yard box or cutting the ball back towards runners arriving around the penalty spot or edge of the area.

Another standout quality is his engine. Modern full-backs are expected to contribute heavily at both ends of the pitch, and Hobbs embraces those demands. Whether supporting attacks or recovering defensively, he maintains the same intensity and work rate throughout the game, showing little drop-off as the minutes pass. That level of consistency is often overlooked when evaluating full-backs, but it is a trait that becomes increasingly valuable as teams ask more and more from the position.

Hobbs has spent much of his career moving between clubs, and to some extent that may continue. The modern game increasingly favours physically imposing full-backs capable of matching powerful wide forwards, which may work against him despite his qualities. However, there will always be coaches who prioritise defensive intelligence, technical ability and reliability over physical profile alone. If Hayes & Yeading achieve what they hope to this season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hobbs once again proving that his ability outweighs any concerns about his stature.

Pinchard Joins The Wanderers – Dorking Wanderers

Central Midfielder | Dorking Wanderers

Career Path:

Cardiff
Hereford
Gloucester City

Age:

Speak to anyone who watched Harry Pinchard during his final few seasons at Gloucester City and you would struggle to find someone who felt he didn’t deserve his move to Step 2. His performances for the Tigers had long suggested he was ready to test himself at a higher level, and after a few months adapting to life at Dorking Wanderers, he now looks perfectly placed to show exactly why the club brought him in.

Pinchard and Dorking endured a frustrating end to the campaign, surrendering top spot during the closing weeks before suffering a 4–2 play-off defeat to Torquay United, a scoreline that flattered the Wanderers after two late goals narrowed the deficit. However, after several months to settle into Marc White’s demanding style of play and build relationships with his new teammates, Pinchard looks perfectly placed to demonstrate exactly why Dorking invested in him.

A technically gifted central midfielder, Pinchard is exceptionally composed in possession. Whether receiving under pressure or afforded time to dictate play, he rarely looks rushed. His ability to evade the press with a sharp first step and intelligent body positioning allows him to progress the ball into advanced areas, an invaluable trait in a Dorking side that thrives on quick transitions and attacking open spaces.

Once beyond the initial pressure, Pinchard consistently shows the vision and execution to hurt opponents. He possesses an excellent passing range, capable of clipping accurate balls over defensive lines, threading incisive passes between defenders or releasing wide players into one v one situations. Just as importantly, he delivers those passes with consistency, giving his teammates the confidence to make aggressive forward runs knowing he has both the awareness and technical quality to find them.

Out of possession, Pinchard is every bit as impressive. While he lacks imposing physical stature, he more than compensates with intensity, aggression and outstanding work rate. He approaches defensive actions with the mentality of a terrier, constantly disrupting opposition midfielders and denying them the time needed to dictate the tempo of the game. He is particularly effective at using his body intelligently to shield the ball, nick possession away from opponents and commit fully to tackles when opportunities arise. Those recoveries often become the platform for dangerous counter-attacks, an aspect of his game that should become even more influential as his understanding with those around him continues to develop.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Pinchard’s game is the confidence with which he plays. He backs himself to attempt ambitious passes that others wouldn’t consider, trusting both his vision and his technical ability to unlock stubborn defences. That self-belief is exactly what you want from a midfielder expected to dictate games, and it is likely to grow as he becomes increasingly settled within Dorking’s system.

I expect Pinchard to establish himself as one of the key figures in this Dorking side over the coming season. With a full pre-season behind him and a greater understanding of his teammates, he has all the qualities required to become one of the driving forces behind another push for promotion back to the National League.

Billy Leonard

Central Midfielder | Enfield Town

Career Path:

Hanwell
Hadley
Harrow Borough
Hendon
Enfield Town

Age:

Billy has undergone something of a transformation from the player I first watched two years ago at Hendon. Originally an energetic, box-crashing midfielder with an eye for goal, it has been slightly frustrating to see him establish himself at Step 2 while being deployed primarily as a wing-back or winger, given the qualities he possesses in central areas. Enfield’s relegation back to Step 3, however, could provide the perfect opportunity for him to return to his natural position and rediscover the form that made him such an exciting prospect.

During his time at Hendon and Harrow Borough, Billy scored 18 goals in 80 appearances from midfield despite playing for sides that were not among the strongest in the division. Those numbers alone underline his attacking instincts, but they don’t fully reflect the influence he had on games. Should he continue to play in the wider role Enfield have utilised him in, I have little doubt he will remain an effective player at Step 3. However, if he is restored to central midfield—or even used as an attacking midfielder—I believe he has all the attributes to become one of the division’s standout performers.

Billy’s greatest strength is his football intelligence. He consistently reads the game well, drifting into dangerous pockets of space before defenders recognise the threat. Around the edge of the penalty area in particular, he has an excellent habit of arriving at exactly the right moment to receive loose balls or cut-backs, giving himself high-quality opportunities to score. That movement, combined with excellent finishing for a midfielder, makes him a genuine goal threat. He favours powerful, low finishes that force goalkeepers into quick reactions, and in a side capable of dominating possession and creating regular chances, his output could increase significantly.

He also possesses excellent pace for a central midfielder. Once he reaches top speed, he becomes extremely difficult to stop without conceding a foul, while his close control allows him to carry the ball over long distances without sacrificing control. Rather than relying on an array of tricks or dribbling moves, Billy is an efficient and purposeful ball carrier. He identifies space quickly, attacks it decisively and looks to avoid prolonged physical duels where his smaller frame could become a disadvantage.

It is easy to understand why Enfield have looked to utilise his pace in wider areas, but I believe doing so limits what makes him special. His greatest qualities are not simply his speed or his ability to score goals, they are his positional intelligence, timing of movement and understanding of space. Those are the attributes that allow central midfielders to consistently influence games at a high level. Add to that his intensity out of possession and willingness to press and recover the ball, and it becomes difficult not to wonder how much more influential he could be if returned to the role where those qualities can be fully maximised.

Personally, I would love to see Billy move back into central midfield. I genuinely believe he has the ability to establish himself as one of the best players in that position at Step 3. Even if he continues to play out wide, his pace, intelligence and goalscoring instinct will still make him a dangerous attacking outlet, but his long-term ceiling feels considerably higher through the middle.

Ibrahim Jalloh

Winger | Free Agent

Career Path:

South Park (Reigate)
Haywards Heath Town
Kingstonian
Beckeham Town
Three Bridges
Billericay Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough

Age:

Dynamic, pacey, tricky and intelligent are all words that describe 22-year-old Croydon-born winger Ibrahim “Ibby” Jalloh. Despite his age, he has already amassed significant non-league experience, representing South Park, Haywards Heath Town, Kingstonian, Beckenham Town, Three Bridges, Billericay Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough. Unfortunately, he finds himself without a club this summer following his release by Hampton after suffering a serious long-term knee injury. Once fully fit, however, there should, in my opinion, be no shortage of ambitious Step 3 clubs willing to provide him with the platform to showcase his ability once again.

You don’t see many wingers like the former Hampton man in the modern game. At a time when many wide players are encouraged to prioritise structure and ball retention, Jalloh feels like something of a throwback. He plays with genuine fearlessness, constantly looking to drive directly at defenders, take players on and back himself to shoot from almost anywhere in the final third. His combination of height, strength and pace makes him an extremely difficult assignment for opposition full-backs. He regularly powers beyond defenders, rides challenges and creates separation to deliver dangerous crosses or get shots away. His long stride and natural athleticism give him outstanding speed for the level, while his physical frame makes him difficult to knock off the ball or contain in one v one situations.

Jalloh also poses a significant aerial threat. Rather than remaining static, he looks to ghost in at the back post, using his height and timing to attack crosses, adding another dimension to his game that many wingers simply don’t possess.

His goalscoring record demonstrates just how dangerous he can be when given consistent opportunities. During his spell at Three Bridges, he scored an outstanding 24 league goals in just 34 appearances, highlighting his ability to consistently decide games in the final third. Whether it’s a simple tap-in, a composed finish or a spectacular strike from distance, Jalloh has shown he can score a wide variety of goals. Every time he steps onto the pitch he plays with the confidence that he can be the difference-maker, and his performances suggest that confidence is well founded.

His numbers at Hampton & Richmond perhaps don’t tell the full story. He registered five goal contributions in 23 appearances, but those appearances amounted to just 1,047 minutes, the equivalent of around 11 full matches. Earlier in the season at Billericay Town, he scored four goals in 13 appearances before earning his move to Step 2, while also contributing a number of assists, although official figures are difficult to source. When given regular minutes, Jalloh has consistently demonstrated that he can both score goals and create them for others.

Naturally, there is an element of risk attached to signing a player returning from a serious knee injury. However, for me, the potential reward far outweighs that risk. Players capable of consistently stretching defences, creating chances and scoring goals are among the hardest profiles to recruit in non-league football. If Jalloh can return to full fitness, any Step 3 club able to secure his signature will have acquired a player with the ability to be one of the division’s most dangerous attacking threats.

Matty Feeney-Hill

Attacking Midfielder | Forest Row

Career Path:

Brighton & Hove Albion
Sutton Common Rovers
Crawley Down Gatwick

Age:

A product of the Brighton academy, Matty is a creative attacking midfielder who also has the versatility to play out wide. Last season was a year of turbulence for Matty and the Southern Combination Div One champions, starting the season with lofty ambitions having retained a large volume of their playing staff, things soon changed in October when joint managers Grant Hearn and Andy Willis left to join East Grinstead Town and took most of the playing squad with them. Despite likely also being offered a deal to join the “Wasps”, Feeney-Hill elected to stay at “Frow” and help them consolidate their position in the league, guiding the club to a 14^th place finish while scoring 11 and assisting 20.

The 20 year-old attacking midfielder is a consistent threat to score and create goals, he has exceptional vision when it comes to spotting teammates making blindside runs into space as well as having the technical ability to pull off some impressive passes both over the top of the backline as well as low driven passes slicing through the oppositions defence. He also possesses an innate ability to be in the right place at the right time, ghosting into space in the blindside of the defenders before latching on to the ball and striking goalwards, it’s not only his football intelligence and reading of the game but his ball striking that make him such a threat in the final third, ensuring he plays passes and hits shots with full confidence that he will achieve what it is he is setting out to do.

His versatility allows him to play in a number of positions outside of his preferred “number 10”, playing a large volume of his games last season out on the wing where his vision and passing ability are put to good use. When looking to play balls into the box Matty picks his head up and looks for his forwards and anticipates their movement before picking his spot and playing the ball into a dangerous area. He is also deceptively shifty, despite not being the fastest player he makes good use of feints and his explosive first step to create separation between himself and his defender where he can then look to work the ball into a dangerous area or put himself between the ball and his man to draw a foul.

When deployed as a typical central midfielder his effectiveness at getting forward and finding space is even more obvious here, having that knack for late runs from midfield to the edge of the box that you would want from a box to box midfielder, that nose for goals from your midfielders can turn you from a good side at your level to an elite side.

Matty has grown a lot from playing men’s football for the last 3 years but could still use some focus on his defensive contributions, at times he can be late to work himself back in when his team are under pressure and when he does it can look laboured. He also could do with filling out his frame a bit more, something that would no doubt allow him to deal with physical defenders much more effectively.

This should be Matty’s final season at Step 5, a player who no doubt has ambitions to play significantly higher, I expect this to be a season where Matty becomes a player that sides at Step 4 and potentially above can no longer ignore.

Noah Coppin

Winger | Dagenham & Redbridge

Career Path:

Chippenham Town
Salisbury

Age:

The former Salisbury winger heads into his first season of full-time football with Dagenham & Redbridge and looks well placed to enjoy a genuine breakthrough campaign at Step 2. The Daggers will undoubtedly harbour promotion ambitions after a summer of significant investment, both in the playing squad and with the appointment of Lee Allinson under the club’s new ownership.

That isn’t to suggest Coppin has struggled since making the step up with Salisbury. Across two seasons at Step 2 he registered 19 goals and five assists in 76 appearances under Brian Dutton, although he perhaps wasn’t quite as devastating as he had been during Salisbury’s 2023/24 promotion-winning campaign, when he scored 26 goals and established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous attacking players.

Direct, dynamic and fearless in possession, Coppin has consistently caused problems for defenders. His pace, combined with outstanding close control, forces defenders into difficult decisions: back off and allow him to drive towards goal or engage him and risk him knocking the ball beyond them into open space. What makes him particularly dangerous is his ability to manipulate the ball at high speed. He remains comfortable executing dribble moves both in tight spaces and at full pace, regularly forcing defenders into rash challenges or committing them before changing direction. As a result, he wins a significant number of fouls in dangerous areas, often operating around the edge of the penalty area where those set-piece opportunities can become particularly valuable.

One of the most underrated aspects of Coppin’s game is his work without the ball. His commitment to defending from the front is outstanding, using his athleticism aggressively during moments of counter-pressing. Whenever possession is lost, he reacts immediately by closing down the ball carrier, applying relentless pressure in the opposition’s defensive third and looking to force turnovers high up the pitch. He also shows excellent anticipation, reading passing lanes well enough to intercept possession or discourage opponents from attempting to play through him. His defensive discipline extends beyond the press, remaining diligent in tracking opposition full-backs and wing-backs while still maintaining the awareness to break quickly into space should his side regain possession.

Coppin’s football intelligence is another standout quality. While his goalscoring naturally attracts attention, his understanding of space and ability to assess situations quickly make him an equally effective creator. He consistently identifies teammates’ runs early and has the vision to play incisive passes through defensive lines, attributes more commonly associated with central attacking players. That awareness, combined with his technical ability and tactical understanding, allows him to operate comfortably anywhere across the front line without his effectiveness diminishing.

This season feels perfectly set up for Coppin to rediscover the level of dominance he showed during Salisbury’s promotion campaign. Surrounded by a stronger supporting cast and operating within a full-time environment, there is every reason to believe his qualities can translate into an outstanding campaign at Step 2. If that happens, it would be no surprise to see him attracting interest from clubs further up the pyramid.

Oscar Massey

Striker | Falmouth Town

Career Path:

Plymouth Argyle
Swindon Town
Hungerford Town
Wantage Town
Plymouth Parkway
Tavistock
Penzance AFC
Barnstaple Town
Mousehole

Age:

The former Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town youngster was regarded as a highly promising prospect just four years ago when he signed for the Robins. Since then, however, his career has taken a less straightforward path. Three loan spells during a single season at Swindon were unlikely to help a young striker settle and build momentum, and following his release he has rebuilt his career in Cornwall. He scored six goals in nine league appearances for Penzance AFC before enjoying a prolific spell with Falmouth Town, where he netted 28 goals in 39 appearances across a season and a half. A move to Mousehole followed, producing 10 goals in 31 appearances, before returning to Falmouth last season and finishing with an impressive return of 17 goals in 35 matches.

Massey is a quick, technical forward who is difficult to mark and possesses the instinctive finishing ability every striker needs. He has an excellent knack for reacting first to loose balls inside the penalty area, showing sharp anticipation before finishing decisively. Throughout his career he has consistently shown flashes of quality that suggest he is capable of competing at a higher level. His ability to bring difficult balls under control in crowded areas before instinctively swivelling to shoot is particularly impressive, while his constant willingness to run beyond the defensive line ensures he is always looking to stretch opposition back fours. His pace and power allow him to create separation from defenders, while his frame enables him to compete physically despite not being an out and out target man.

One of Massey’s biggest assets is his versatility. Although most effective as a central striker, he is equally capable of operating from either flank. Off the left, he naturally looks to attack inside onto his stronger right foot and threaten goal himself, while from the right he is comfortable delivering dangerous crosses into the penalty area. Centrally, however, his movement, acceleration and deceptive physicality make him particularly difficult to defend against. He is also confident finishing with either foot. While he naturally favours his right, he is more than capable on his left, although his more powerful strikes with that foot can occasionally lack the same level of control and consistency.

The main area I would like to see Massey develop is his defensive contribution. Given his pace and athleticism, he has all the physical tools required to become an effective pressing forward. At Step 4 in particular, where defenders are often less comfortable in possession than those higher up the pyramid, a more aggressive press could force additional turnovers in dangerous areas and significantly increase the number of high-quality chances he receives. If he can add that intensity to his game, there is every reason to believe his already impressive goalscoring numbers could become even more prolific.

These eleven players are not the only young talents worth watching across the Non-League game, but each has qualities that make them particularly interesting heading into the season.

Whether they are stepping up, rebuilding momentum, or looking for the right platform, all deserve their chance Under The Floodlights.

If you want to follow any of the players mentioned in this article, please find their socials below:

Redman Evans – https://www.instagram.com/redmanevans/

Max Hudson – https://www.instagram.com/m.hudson2004

Owen Dore – https://x.com/owendore_

Alex Wilkie – https://www.instagram.com/alexwilkiee/

Kai Hobbs – https://x.com/KaiHobbs4

Harry Pinchard – https://x.com/PinchardHarry

Billy Leonard – https://x.com/_BillyLeonard

Ibrahim “Ibby” Jalloh – https://x.com/officialibz7

Matty Feeney-Hill – https://x.com/Mattyfh8

Noah Coppin – https://x.com/CoppinNoah