THE Amman Valley’s rising star with the round ball took another major career step on Friday.

Teen sensation Owain Jones, from Cwmgors, appeared as a late substitute in Wales U21s European Championship qualifying group victory over Armenia in Bangor.

The 2-1 win ensured Geraint Williams’ young side top Group Five after four games and all eyes remained firmly fixed on this afternoon’s meeting with Romania in a bid to further secure qualification for the finals in Poland in 2017.

Jones, who has just turned 19, described his appearance with the scores level at 1-1 as “a dream come true”.

“It was a brilliant feeling and brilliant experience,” said the Swansea striker, currently a first-year professional at the Liberty Stadium.

“I was on the bench for the last game in Cardiff so it was great to actually get on the pitch. I am delighted to have got on.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I have dreamed of playing for Wales so this was a dream come true.

“It is a great honour to play for my country at any level so to represent Wales at under-21 level is brilliant.”

Representing Wales is becoming a habit for Jones, who has pulled on the red jersey at U15, U17 and U19 level.

Friday, however, was a massive step up for Jones, particularly given his still tender years.

“When the boss told me to get warmed up, I jumped to my feet and sprinted off down the touchline with butterflies in my stomach,” he said.

“We needed a goal and I am a striker.”

His goalscorer’s instinct was not needed in the end as Liverpool’s Harry Wilson fired Wales in front in stoppage time, but Jones is a young man with plenty of confidence in the danger zone.

Injuries have left him battling through a stop-start season so far this year, but last term he fired more than 25 goals for the Swan’s academy side and it is clear the staff at the Liberty think he has a big future ahead of him.

“I have been with the Swans since I was nine or 10 and it has been a real honour to come through the ranks,” said the Amman Valley boy, who actually grew up supporting Luton thanks to dad Gareth taking him on regular trips to see the Hatters as a youngster.

“I'm not really sure what to say about the Luton thing,” he said. “That’s just down to my dad.”

Schoolboy fandom is a thing of the past now though and Jones’ eyes are fixed firmly on the future with both club and country.

“We have to be confident about qualifying for the Euros,” he said. “We are top of the group and playing well.

“We are in the position we need to be in and hopefully we can keep it going.”

And Jones and his teammates are riding the crest of a Welsh footballing wave.

“We are buzzing,” he said.

“It is brilliant. The U17s and U19s are doing great and obviously the senior team has qualified.

“With the first team doing so well, the rest of us are just trying to emulate them and keep it going.”

It seems only a matter of time before Jones is not just trying to emulate Bale, Ramsay and co, but lining up alongside them.

“My dream has always been to play for Wales and hopefully that day will come.”