Cymru C 1-0 England C: Bradley stunner fires Wales to glory

SION BRADLEY’S gorgeous free-kick fired Wales C to the inaugural Anthony Hughes Trophy.

Mark Jones’ side, made up of players from the JD Cymru Premier, lifted the special cup named in memory of the late Southern League chairman, who had served Merthyr Town for many years.

Bradley fired in on the stroke of half time and Paul Fairclough’s Three Lions, featuring 15 new caps in the 16-man squad, couldn’t find an equaliser in Llanelli.

England, who finished with three Step 2 players on the pitch, twice went close through Worthing striker Ollie Pearce in the latter stages.

The National League South hot-shot’s second opening in stoppage time looked certain to end up in the net only for Wales keeper Kelland Absalom to make a brilliant low save to push the ball behind for a corner.

Dagenham keeper Elliot Justham was called into action early on, saving low to hold Lee Jenkins’ downward header.

Callum Maycock had a great chance for England soon after when the ball fell to him in the area but his drive was denied by an excellent low block from defender Emlyn Lewis.

Bradley was a real threat for Wales, cutting in from the left to force Justham into a diving save.

The game’s key moment came at the end of the first half after captain Chris Bush was penalised for a tackle outside of the box.

And Bradley whipped a strike into the top corner that ultimately won the game and avenged last year’s 1-0 defeat at Altrincham.

It takes Jones’ side level with England’s two wins in the annual series, with just one draw from their five games so far.

Full report and reaction in Sunday’s Non-League Paper

Wales C: 1

Bradley 45+2

England C: 0

Wales: Absalom, Owen, M Davies, Jenkins, Lewis, Sears, Gosset, Green (Harrington 85), J Davies (Ahmun 90), Bradley, Williams (Edwards 61)

Subs not used: Jones, Lang, Abbruzzese, Price, Cani, Dafydd

England: Justham (Stanway 79); Scott-Morriss, Bush (Jenkins 79), Kenlock, Harfield; Maycock (Dieseruvwe 61), Francis, Conlon (Pybus 46); Stead (Pearce 67), McCallum, Smith