Grecians youngster skippers Young Dragons in Poland
Exeter City Academy prospect Ethan Ampadu captained the Wales Under-15 for a duo of fixtures away in Poland last week.The Welsh squad played a double-header of fixtures against their Polish counterparts in Płock in central Poland.
The first fixture, played at the Stadion Miejski w Płocku on Tuesday 11th March, ended in a 2-2 draw – Kieran Holsgrove of Liverpool and Kieran Proctor of Cardiff had turned around a deficit before the hosts equalised with ten minutes to go.
Wales’ second game was contested two days later at Stadion Kazimierza Górskiego, home of Wisła Płock. Ampadu, again playing in central midfield, was instrumental in some good football for Wales – Mason Jones-Thomas of Swansea had the visitors ahead but Poland equalised before the break. After many substitutions in the second period, two goals in the final six minutes saw the game end 3-1 to the hosts.
Ethan wore the armband for the entire 80 minutes in both games, and showed great leadership skills both on and off the pitch during his time away with the Welsh squad.
Exeter City Academy Manager Simon Hayward said: “We are delighted to see Ethan gaining further international experience. It is a credit both to him and his family, as well as to our Academy, that he has been selected to play and that he has been chosen to captain the side. Our Academy ethos is to develop well rounded young men and Ethan’s character and personality have obviously been picked out for him to be asked to lead the side in Poland.
“Furthermore our Academy vision is to try and produce top level international players, so for Ethan to add to the experience that he, Matt Grimes, Christy Pym, Jamie Reid, Max Smallcombe and Jake Gosling have all had in international football this season is very pleasing for us.
“As always we will look to continue to improve and progress our Academy programme in the hope that there are more international selections to come in the future and in the hope that we can continue to supply local young players to our first team.”