Non League Geek

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  • What to Expect, Kwaku Frimpong

    Worthing FC | 22 Years Old | All-Round Midfielder (Can play in the 4,6,8 and 10 role)

    Background

    Born in Cardiff, Frimpong joined AFC Wimbledon at sixteen following his release from Crystal Palace. This move was followed by a number of loans up and down the non-league pyramid – the first to Leatherhead (Step 3, at the time) where his spell was described as ‘testing’, however a January loan to Carshalton brought some positivity to a frustrating start to life in non-league. Following the conclusion of his loan at ‘The Robins’, Frimpong returned to his parent club and made his senior debut for ‘The Dons’ in August 2022, immediately joining Dartford in the National League South on a one-month loan. He returned to Wimbledon scoring his first ‘Dons’ goal against Crawley in a 3-2 EFL Trophy victory and was then awarded with a league debut, but again this progress led to two further month loans at Potters Bar Town and Metropolitan Police. Unfortunately, his performances didn’t warrant a new deal in the opinion of Wimbledon, this release and a move back to Carshalton was the turning point in Frimpong’s career. Over the past two seasons Frimpong has been a key player in a young exciting Carshalton side who have been battling way above their financial weight in the Isthmian Premier, a league full of powerhouses. These performances were enough to see Frimpong recently join Worthing, another ambitious and exciting side looking to get themselves into Step 1 having reached the NLS Playoffs twice in two years.

    Playstyle

    Frimpong is an exceptional ball carrier, at Carshalton he played mainly in the 8 role, this meant picking the ball in deep and drive forwards and navigate tights spaces to then create chances – this role also required him to defend a lot which again he excels at doing. Defensively he was asked to cover a lot of ground and be strong in the tackle but did this with ease as he’s so physical and tenacious.

    His role at Carshalton was specific, but he definitely displayed attributes and performances that could see him being physical and aggressive enough to play in a single pivot, has the legs and experience to play in the 8 (box to box) and then has that ability and flair to beat a man and pick a pass to play in a sole 10 role. I believe he has the ability and the drive to get himself back into league football, also helps that he’s extremely versatile within midfield.

    Reminds me a lot of a more aggressive and hard working Tanguy Ndombele

    Top Attributes

    Ball Carrying, Dribbling and Ball Progression

  • 4 Complete Goal Scorers at Step 3

    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

  • 5 Top Teenage Talents in Non-League

    Noah Africa – Midfielder (18) Sutton Common Rovers (Step 4)

    Coming through the ranks at Sunday League level Africa has not had the conventional route to the spotlight. Used predominantly in midfield as holding or pivot player Africa has played over 40 games at Step 4 this season at Sutton Common Rovers, winning Common Rover’s young player of the season and catching the eye of several League 1 and 2 clubs.

    Key Attributes – Ball Control and Vision

    George Hill – Goalkeeper (17) AFC Whyteleafe (Step 5)

    What a season it has been for George Hill, a first season in men’s football completed and a trip to Wembley for the FA Vase final. A superb shot stopper, Hill has broken through in a very exciting and competitive Whyteleafe side making over 15 appearances, Hill who’s extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and has incredible reflexes, plays with the maturity of a seasoned pro.

    Key Attributes – Shot Stopping and Ball Playing Ability  

    Sam Sene-Richardson – Midfielder (18) Chatham Town (Step 3)

    The most established player on this list 2024/25 couldn’t have gone any better for Sene-Richardson, managing to appear in 30 games, bagging 8 times from midfield including a brace in the Velocity Cup semi-final. This form led to him picking up not only Chatham’s young player of the season but also their player of the season. A goalscoring midfielder his ability move forward with the ball and arrive in the box gives Frank Lampard vibes.

    Key Attributes – Vision and Goalscoring

    Callum Erskine – Wingback/Winger (17) Lancing FC (Step 4) / Whitehawk Youth

    It’s been a tough season for Lancing in Step 4, but Erskine has been a shining light throughout. Originally signing for the first team during the 2023/24 it wasn’t until this season where he became a consistent player in the squad. This season he has made over 20 league appearances, scoring his first goal against Steyning Town and even captaining the side. Erskine has already had trials at clubs such as Wycombe (League 1), Brighton and Fulham (both Premier League) but I feel as if he can flourish in non-league next season.

    Key Attributes – Dribbling and Pace

    Preston Kedwell – Striker (16) Croydon Athletic (Step 4)

    Son of former Gillingham legend Danny Kedwell, Preston came through at Ebbsfleet United before making his senior men’s debut age 15 at Hollands and Blair FC (Step 6) scoring in a pre-season match against League 2 side Gillingham. However, 2025 was a big year for Kedwell, moving to Ashford United (Step 4) and then Croydon Athletic towards the end of this season where he made a handful of appearances and becoming the clubs youngest ever goal scorer when he bagged in a 4-1 win against East Grinstead in the Isthmian Southeast Division.

    Key Attributes – Finishing and Goalscoring Intelligence

  • 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)