Non League Geek

Author: Joe Elliott

  • Up Next, Luke May-Parrott

    Player Profile

    Age 22 years old Main Position Centre-Forward (Right Footed)

    Current Club Hashtag United (Step 3)

    Career Summary

    May-Parrott hasn’t had the generic non-league career, he started out coming through the ranks at Step 5 side Woodford Town, breaking into their first team and going onto make over 90 appearances firing in over 50 goals. In November of the 2023/24 season, ‘The Parrot’ as he’s nicknamed caught the attention of newly promoted YouTube side Hashtag United (Step 3). He went on to finish his first season at Step 3 with 16 goals and 8 assists, averaging a goal every 87 minutes. This season has been no different, May-Parrott has been slightly injury hit but in 21 league starts he bagged 15 goals (two of which were hat-tricks) and grabbed himself 8 assists, just missing out on the play offs in the Isthmian Prem.

    Playstyle

    May-Parrott is a complete number nine, he drops in and can run at defenders but can also run in behind and finish calmly, he’s a poacher in the box but can also score worldies from distance. May-Parrott works best for fast transitional teams or teams that enable him to drop into the ten area and turn. He’s a super centre-forward but I think his attributes could also see teams potentially using him as a number 10 (due to his creativity and vision) or even in a front three as a winger/forward.

    Strengths

    Creator and goal scorer | Team-Play | Physical (Speed) | Versatility | Varied finishing | Game awareness/vision

    Aspects to think about

    Whether he could be utilised in the ten role or as a winger | On the smaller side physically | Not built to be used aerially  

    Where should he go next

    He’s now proven himself two years in a row at step 3, I think now May-Parrott should be aiming for Step 2. In terms of geography if new Chelmsford manager Angelo Harrop is willing to play a 4-4-2, I could see May-Parrott working well with a strike partner, but teams like Dagenham (if they go down) or any Essex/Kent based clubs should definitely be interested.

    Highlights Real-

    https://x.com/lukemp99/status/1788947484397441514?s=46

  • Up Next, Josh Williams

    Player Profile

    Age 26 years old Main Position Winger (Both Footed)

    Current Club Cray Wanderers (Step 3)

    Career Summary

    Josh Williams has had an oddly quiet non-league career; he started out Chatham Town (Step 3) and Sevenoaks Town (Step 4) before really kicking off last season at Whitstable Town (Step 5) where he scored 18 goals and provided 11 assists. This for earnt him a move to southwest London to NLS side Hampton and Richmond (Step 2) at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, however according to Transfermarkt he only made 3 appearances before departing and joining Isthmian Premier side Lewes for the start of the 2024/25 season. After 14 appearances and a singular goal Williams joined fellow Isthmian side Cray Wanderers, really a make-or-break career move looking at his age and trajectory at the time. But this didn’t faze Williams at all, firing Cray to a 10th place and finishing the season with 18 goal contributions.

    Playstyle

    Just like Darion Dowrich (previous report), Williams has benefitted from Cray’s free flowing football, their creative and transitional system has enabled Williams to play with freedom and express himself. Williams gives flashbacks Wilfred Zaha at Crystal Palace, his consistency to beat a defender with either pure pace or quick feet to then create a chance or score a goal from any range is frightening.

    Strengths

    Both footed | One on one dribbling | Finishing | Crossing | Physicals (Speed)

    Aspects to think about

    Hasn’t got much experience above Step 3 | Going into his prime years | Inconsistent seasonal form | Fits a specific system

    Where should he go next

    I think he has shown this season that in the right system he can be consistently dangerous, however it needs to be the right system otherwise he loses his main attributes. With his age I think he should definitely be aiming for Step 2 and potentially Step 1. Could see him working at Dorking or Eastbourne (however I know Marc White hates flair players), maybe Braintree if they were to lose Kyrell Lisbie however wouldn’t put pressure on Williams to put up the same numbers.

    Highlights Real –  https://x.com/joshwxlf1/status/1916506040138354746?s=46

  • Up Next, Darion Dowrich

    Player Profile

    Age 20/21 years old  Main Position Left Back (Left Footed)

    Current Club Cray Wanderers (Step 3)

    Career Summary

    Dowrich joined Cray Wanderers at the start of the 2024/25 season after securing a 3rd place finish in the Southern Counties East League (Step 5) with from local neighbours Glebe. Having only played 3 times at FC Elmstead (Step 6) before his 17 appearances at Glebe Dowrich was unknown entity but what a find for Cray he’s been. In his debut season at Step 3 (2024/25) Dowrich exploded racking up 10 assists and has kept 16 clean sheets.

    Playstyle

    Cray play very free flowing fast transitioning football: they go from defence to attack in no time, they are almost like the non-league Nottingham Forest. This type of set up is where Dowrich is so effective, his ability to defend, regain possession and then drive the ball is extremely scary. His partnership with winger Josh Williams has meant Cray have become one of the most dangerous and destructive counter attacking sides in the division.

    Strengths

    Physicals (Pace and Strengths) | Mental game (determination and tenacity)| Ball progression and forward runs | Dribbling

    Aspects to think about

    First season at Step 3 | Inexperienced in higher level football | Still extremely young | Would like to see what he can do in a more overlapping role

    Where should he go next

    Every career choice Dowrich has made so far has paid off, his next move must continue to build on his journey of progression and development. I think he has three main destinations, one is stay at Cray for another half/full season, play a load more games and add to his experience, second is to move to one of the teams coming down for NLS (Welling would be a good bet) or move up to step 2 and start as a more rotational role to then fully break into the starting eleven.

    (Lots of footage up on Cray Wanderers YouTube)

  • Up Next, Daniel Ogunleye

    Player Profile

    Age 23 years old Citizenship English Main Position Centre Forward (Right Footed)

    Current Club Brentwood Town FC (Step 4)

    Career Summary

    With 36 league goals this season for Isthmian League North champions Brentwood Town, you would think that Daniel Ogunleye will be on the wish list of a number of Step 2 and 3 clubs. Having originally started his career at Brentwood Town Ogunleye moved to Southampton age 12 and then onto Forest Green, where he returned to Brentwood during the 2021/22 season scoring eight times. Brief spells at Coggeshall Town and Herne Bay during the 2022\23 stalled Ogunleye’s promising start to his non- league career. He rejoined Brentwood in the November of the 2023\24, reaching the playoffs and finishing the season with 9 league goals. However this season was Ogunleye break through year, netting 43 goals in all competitions firing Brentwood Town to the Isthmian Premier (step 3) for the first time in a decade.

    Playstyle

    Brentwood play with a two upfront, one being Ogunleye who plays as the runner and support player off the other striker who’s role is the hold up man. The majority of Ogunleye’s goals come from inside the box where he has developed as a complete poacher finisher, scoring with both feet and his head on a number of occasions. He has displayed on a number of times this season an ability to run at defenders in the final third to score and create goals and chances.

    Strengths

    In the box offensive movements | Support play and off ball runs | Composure in front of goal | Complete Finisher | Running and dribbling at defenders

    Aspects to think about

    Requires service in the box | Not proven above step 4 | First season scoring 10+ league goals | Fits a specific play style

    Where should he go next

    Given this is the first time Ogunleye has hit over 10 league goals in a season and he hasn’t ever played above Step 4 if he got a move to Step 2 there shouldn’t be any pressure on him to start firing straight away. But I do think he should be at least aiming for teams challenging for promotion in Step 3 (replacement for Ollie Box at Dartford) or as a rotation striker for a Step 2 team.

    (Lots of footage up on Ogunleye’s twitter)