A FORMER Caereinion High School pupil has made his first appearance for the Everton FC under-23s team.

16-year-old Ryan Astley’s debut was hailed as a “stunning performance” by Everton manager David Unsworth.

The Wales under-17 captain produced an impressive display against the ‘Black Cats’.

Unsworth said the performance by Astley was a huge positive in what was an otherwise frustrating afternoon away in the north east.

The ‘young Blues’ manager praised Astley saying: “He showed character, attitude, ability and bravery,”

“I can’t remember an under-16 coming in and starting a game at this level since I’ve been here but I thought he was the best player on the pitch. It was a stunning performance.”

The young centre-back won a scholarship to play for Everton FC in November.

Astley was Wales’ under-17 skipper for back-to-back international friendlies against Scotland and Hungary last year. He led the team for fixtures during the preparations for the UEFA qualifiers.

2018 has been a big year of debuts for the Llanfair Caereinion teenager. In February, he played his first game for Everton under-18s in a mini Merseyside derby against the Liverpool side coached by Steven Gerrard.

While Unsworth was delighted with Astley’s display – and also praised his side’s character and application when chasing the game – the manager was less enthused with the Blues’ finishing at the Stadium of Light.

The Everton under-23s suffered a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Powys County Council education portfolio holder, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander said on Facebook: “Brilliant to see a Llanfair boy do so well!

“The outstanding sporting record of Caereinion High School is one of the great secrets of education here in Powys”.