Ricardo Rees (25) Merthyr Town (Strengths – ball striking and consistency)
Background – Coming through the youth ranks at Bristol City, Rees had loans spells at Bath City and Salisbury before joining Yate Town permanently before moving to Merthyr Town in 2022. During his first season at the “The Martyrs” he scored 21 goals starting all 49 games, however he has better this tally this season, scoring 33 times in the league as Merthyr were crowned 2024/25 champions of the Southern League Premier South.
Playstyle – Rees’s ball striking is on another level, his ability to consistently put the ball away from any position with is right foot is on another level. Rees’s best game is when he’s able to drop in off the centre-backs, hold the ball, lay it off and get himself forward to finish, some would say his playstyle is identical to Harry Kane’s.
Where Next? He’s proven himself time and time again that I believe he needs that step up, but will he decide to stay with Merthyr and look to keep them up or is a move to the EFL on the cards, could see Newport being interested as the geography somewhat makes sense.
Olaf Koszela (23) Dorchester Town (Strengths – in-box movement and finishing)
Background – After leaving boyhood club Torquay and making a third spell at Dorchester permanent in the summer of 2023, it couldn’t have gone much better for Koszela this season. He fired in 28 goals for “The Magpies” as they finished 5th in the Southern League Premier South securing play offs and looking for a first return to the second tier of non-league in over 20 years.
Playstyle – Koszela is a lethal poacher, with the majority of his goals coming within the box. He reminds me of Haaland with his ability to create space with such destructive movement, but unlike Haaland Koszela offers a variety of finishes once the ball reaches him. He’s also a top penalty taker which I believe is such an underrated strength in a top goal scorers’ game.
Where Next? I feel there’s still history with Torquay but Koszela should be aiming for a jump up to Step 2, Salisbury fit in terms of geography and potentially a further step up to Yeovil could be a shout.
Reuben Soares-Junior (25) Dover Athletic (Strengths – physicals and flair)
Background – Soares-Junior grew up in Portugal but the English non-league pyramid is where he has mastered his craft, a spell at Billericay in the 2021 managed to attract the attention of Scottish Championship side Queen of the South, however Soares-Junior was released after a year, spells at Tonbridge, Margate, Grays Athletic, Folkestone and Billericay followed, before Dover offered him a chance to turn his career and their club around last summer. Since then, Soares-Junior hasn’t looked back scoring 22 league goals as Dover were promoted back to Step 2 via the playoffs, where he even scored a Panenka penalty.
Playstyle – Soares-Junior can do just about anything, he can score a worldie, beat a player for pace, score headers and become a poacher within the box. He reminds me a lot of Alexander Isak, his physicals speak for themselves, he’s extremely quick able to knock the ball round a defender but also extremely strong able to hold up the ball and link up with his teammates and or even role the defender using his body. This season he has masted his finishing
Where next? Soares-Junior is yet to be consistent above Step 3 so maybe staying at Dover and continuing his form could be his best bet however I could see clubs in Kent and Essex being interested.
Ogo Obi (27) Wingate and Finchley (Strengths – physicals and finishing)
Background – As a teenager Obi had trials at Manchester United but spent most of his football education at Watford and Cardiff. Obi has gained numerous experience at Step 2 playing for clubs such as Slough Town, Hemel Hempstead and Maidstone United. However, a spell at Chesham United during a title winning 2023/24 put his career back on the track. He then stayed at Step 3 joining North London side Wingate and Finchley for 2024/25 where he has rocketed, bagging 24 goals.
Playstyle – Obi is a physical but composed finisher, Obi is at his best within the box either running through from a pass from midfield or moving off defenders, finishing from a cross. His physicality and goalscoring intelligence enables him to create space and score with a variety of finishes, he’s also a massive threat aerially.
Where next? Like Soares-Junior relatively inconsistent above Step 3 but being 27 I feel he would want to give Step 2 a chance again – clubs like Hemel and Enfield looking for a consistent goal scorer should 100% be interested.
Honourable Mentions-
Ryan Seager (29) 35 goals for Havant and Waterlooville in the Southern League Premier South
Jack Mazzone (32) 26 goals for Chertsey Town in the Southern League Premier South
Leon Lobjoit (30) 27 goals for Bedford Town in the Southern League Premier Central
Matthew Stenson (31) 31 goals for AFC Telford United in the Southern League Premier Central
Non League Geek 
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