All hail Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Sion Bradley – the latest Welsh football hero

Welsh football has a new hero – Blaenau Ffestiniog man Sion Bradley.

The Caernarfon Town midfielder stole the show on Tuesday night with a stunning match-winner for Cymru C in a 1-0 victory over England C at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli.

Bradley was the standout player on the evening and later said the game provided one of the greatest moments in his career.

Such tremendous goals have become the norm for a 26-year-old who has dazzled the Cymru Premier this season for a Caernarfon side flying high in the top four.

When Cymru lost against England in Altrincham last year, Bradley was an unused substitute; a role that certainly frustrated him. Fast forward a year, and the Town star is the name on everybody’s lips, and he says the game will live long in his memory.

“Like I’ve said before, I’ve given Mark some hassle for not bringing me on last year, but I think that’s made me play a lot better this season,” he told the FAW Cymru website.

“I wanted to try and prove a point and show that I am good enough to play a part in this game, and I’m glad I did that tonight.

“It probably stands right at the top of the greatest moments in my career. There’s not a prouder feeling in the world than putting on this red jersey, and especially when we did what we’ve done tonight.”

Bradley won the game with a marvellous free kick on the stroke of half-time, and he knew as soon as the ball left his foot that he had found the back of the net.

“I think a few of the lads wanted to take the free kick, but I thought it was perfect for a right footed player. Once it left my foot, I was off celebrating in the corner flag.”

While Bradley will take the plaudits for his mesmeric winner, the defence certainly played their part in the victory with a clean sheet.

Bala Town keeper Kelland Absalom pulled off some truly magnificent stops.

Team-mate on the night, centre-back Emlyn Lewis of Cardiff Met, was full of praise for the Bala stopper.

Lewis has come up against Absalom on a number of occasions, and he believes he’s one of the best in the country at what he does.

“Kelland is an outstanding goalkeeper,” said the Met defender. “I think he’s third in terms of clean sheets in the league this season; he kicks like a mule too which always helps! But he’s a brilliant player and a brilliant person too, and I’m very proud of everyone in this group. We’ve deserved this victory and we’re going to enjoy it.”

With Bradley and Absalom shining so brightly, speculation over whether the pair might attract offers from EFL clubs, as happened famously with current Newport County star Will Evans in similar circumstances, is inevitable.

Sion Bradley – profile

Hailing from Blaenau Ffestiniog and born on February 20, 1998, Sion is currently in his sixth season at Cymru Premier League club Caernarfon Town.

An attacking midfielder, Sion showed tremendous promise as a youth at Bala Town and with Coleg Menai, as well as at Welsh Alliance clubs Blaenau Amateurs and Penrhyndeudraeth.

He also joined Bangor City’s Under-19 side in 2015-16 and was a key member of the Citizens team crowned WPL Development champions.

Bradley hit the headlines after scoring a hat-trick in the national Welsh Premier Development League Final against Cambrian & Clydach in May 2016, City edging a 4-3 thriller.

He was part of Bangor City’s senior squad in 2016-17, later moved to Porthmadog, and was brought on board by Caernarfon on their return to the Cymru Premier in 2018-19.

Bradley has made 167 Cymru Premier appearances for the Canaries, netting 29 goals.