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‘I thought I would have him... but he was better than that': Defender who gave Dominic Calvert-Lewin a black eye in his first senior game hails striker’s goal-scoring England debut and Stalybridge fans give thanks

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's bullying of the Welsh defence on his England debut was a performance that was forged in the country's lower leagues, according to those who watched and played against him in the National League North.

England's new hero took his first step in the adult game with Stalybridge Celtic and while he had bags of talent, fans, coaches and even opponents say the experience turned him into the tough competitor that proved too strong for the Welsh on Thursday.

Those who met Calvert-Lewin in his Stalybridge days were glued to their televisions for the home international, willing the lad from Sheffield to do well, and they were not disappointed.