Hartlepool United's Mani Dieseruvwe makes non-league Lions debut as England C lose to Wales C in Llanelli

Hartlepool United striker Mani Dieseruvwe became just the third Pools player to represent England C when he came on as a second half substitute against Wales C on Tuesday night.
By Robbie Stelling
Published 20th Mar 2024, 12:00 BST
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The 29-year-old forward has been enjoying the most prolific season of his career, netting 21 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions, and was rewarded with a call-up to Paul Fairclough's 16-strong non-league Lions squad.

The annual contest sees the best players from throughout England's non-league system take on the stars of the Cymru Premier and was held this year at Llanelli's Stebonheath Park.

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Dieseruvwe played the final half an hour but was unable to prevent Wales from securing the bragging rights as the home side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a stunning first half free-kick from the impressive Sion Bradley.

Mani Dieseruvwe played half-an-hour against Wales as the frontman was rewarded for a fine campaign with international recognition.Mani Dieseruvwe played half-an-hour against Wales as the frontman was rewarded for a fine campaign with international recognition.
Mani Dieseruvwe played half-an-hour against Wales as the frontman was rewarded for a fine campaign with international recognition.

The in-form frontman came on to partner Paul McCallum up top.

The pair ironically will meet as opponents this weekend when Pools travel to Eastleigh.

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McCallum is one of only two players to have outscored Dieseruvwe in the National League and the experienced frontman leads the scoring charts with 30 goals in 32 games.

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Dan Pybus, who Pools were linked with earlier in the campaign before he signed for Dorking Wanderers, played the second half after being introduced at the break while Southend United's Gus Scott-Morriss, who was involved in a scuffle with David Ferguson during Saturday's 0-0 draw, got through the full 90.

Dieseruvwe, who joins Ben Killip and Luke James in having represented England C while at Pools, will now link back up with Kevin Phillips and the squad before the team travel down to Hampshire to take on Eastleigh on Saturday.

Related topics:EnglandPaul McCallum

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