TWO former pupils of Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron started for the Wales C semi-professional side in an exciting 2-2 draw with their English counterparts in Salford last Tuesday evening.

Emlyn Lewis, who currently plays for Cardiff Metropolitan University, and Henry Jones, who plays for Bala Town, had earned their places with some impressive performances in the JD Welsh Premier League this season.

“It was good to join up with the boys, it’s been a long year waiting to see if I’d be called up, but I’ve worked hard and I think I earned my place, as has everyone else in the squad,” said 22 year-old Lewis, who came through Aberystwyth’s academy.

“There is a rivalry with England, of course, but at the end of the day, it was another game we wanted to win.

“The players in the Welsh Premier League have improved a lot, and the coaches have improved, and this squad helps to bring that together into what we have in this Wales squad.

“The standard of the national league has increased every year that I’ve been involved in it, and it is a forward thinking league that will keep growing.

“It’s the best experience I’ve had in my playing career, and there is nothing better than representing Wales.”

Bala Town's Henry Jones, 25, who has also played for Bangor City and National League club FC Fylde, after progressing through the Swansea City academy, said it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the standard of the Welsh Premier.

“It’s always an honour to represent Wales, whatever level it is, and every Welshman wants to play against England,” said the 25 year-old, who has also represented the Wales Under 21s squad.

“I think there is a misconception from people outside the Welsh Premier League that it isn’t that good, but we’ve shown that there are good players in every team in this league, and players who could comfortably play at Conference (National League) level and above.

“It’s good to showcase that talent against an England team, who were made up of National League players.”

Adding to the Ceredigion interest in the Wales C squad, former Aberystwyth Town player Chris Venables, an ex-pupil at Llanidloes High School, also started, and current Aber player Mathew Jones, a former pupil at Ysgol Penglais, was on the bench.

In an entertaining encounter, goals from Barry Town’s Kayne McLaggon and Adam Roscrow of Cardiff Met’s cancelled out a Nathan Peate own goal and a well-taken free kick from Kurt Willoughby to earn the draw.

England opened their account when right back Luke Trotman fizzed the ball across the six-yard box, and Nathan Peate, of Cefn Druids, unfortunately deflected into his own net.

England could have gone two up when Kurt Willoughby was sent clear with a slide rule pass, but keeper Alex Ramsay managed to parry his effort away to safety.

Wales, however, equalised through McLaggon, the Barry Town United forward reacting fastest to beat Killup to a well-worked free-kick from Clayton Green.

After the break, Henry Jones picked up a loose ball in the England half and knocked it to McLaggon, who squared to Eliot Evans, but he curled his shot just wide of goal.

England, however, retook the lead through Willoughby, who curled a low free kick from 25 yards around the wall and past Caernarfon Town goalkeeer Ramsay.

Wales substitute Roscrow forced Killup into a save, and from the resulting corner, Nathan Peate saw his header cleared off the line by Daniel Happe.

Two minutes later, Wales were level, as ex-Seasider Chris Venables, now of Barry Town, dinked a ball forward for Roscrow, who beat Happe and fired home.

England’s Greg Olley hooked an effort onto the post, and James Hardy had an effort blocked in the last minute by Edwards - but a draw meant Wales improved on last year’s defeat in Barry.