A YOUNG Llandudno footballer represent and scored for both Wales and Liverpool at under-16 level at a pair of tournaments earlier this month.

Joe Belmont scored for his country against Turkey at Colliers Park, Wrexham, in a UEFA Development Tournament match on April 11.

Joe, a Ysgol John Bright student playing a year above his age group, put Wales 1-0 up in what ultimately transpired as a 4-4 draw, with Turkey prevailing on penalties.

Just two days earlier, Joe had also come off the substitutes’ bench for Wales in their 2-1 loss to Brazil at Denbigh Town.

He missed Wales’ third and final game of the tournament, a 2-2 draw with Spain at Denbigh Town on April 14 (Wales won on penalties), because he was allowed to leave international duty to link up with his Liverpool team-mates in Spain.

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There, he scored in one of Liverpool’s four games in the MICFootball youth tournament in Catalonia, netting in their 2-1 win against CF Torello before the Reds were knocked out in the last 16 stage on April 15.

Joe’s dad, Stephen, who went to Joe’s matches for Wales along with other members of his family, was full of pride for the promising young striker.

He said: “It was emotional; I was filling up. I think he’s got three goals in his last four games for Wales now, so he’s doing well.

“I’m exceptionally proud of him, and it was lovely to go with his family to watch him, especially when he’s doing so well and changing games, not just as a bit-part player.

“He was superb when he came on against Brazil – he ran them ragged, they couldn’t cope with his pace. Wales were phenomenal, and the better team in all three games; they’ve got a good squad there.

“He scored against Turkey, and should’ve had a hat-trick rly, but the goalkeeper made two fantastic saves. They couldn’t get near him.

“It was a ball over the top and he ran from the halfway line, before taking it around the keeper; two defenders got back, but Joe slotted it in the bottom corner; a great finish.

“He scored, hit the crossbar, and made the keeper make saves before he came off injured in the second half. Then, he went out with Liverpool and was excellent for them as well.

“He didn’t play in the first game because they had to rest him because he’d played so much for Wales. He played in the next two, scored, and was man of the match. His coach said he had two storming games.”

This follows more recent national success for Joe, when he scored for Wales’ under-16s side in the Victory Shield in Belfast in a 2-1 win against Ireland.