LEWIS Skyers boosted his claim for a place in the Great Britain Blind football team’s Paralympic squad with several outstanding saves.

The Ledbury-based sighted goalkeeper was a second-half substitute against European Champions France in last Saturday’s hardfought international in Hereford.

He made four vital saves, including a diving stop in the dying minutes, as Tony Larkin’s GB team entertained the 257-strong crowd at thePoint4.

GB controlled the first period and should have been several goals up at the break after Dan English and Dave Clarke missed penalties.

Skipper Clarke was also unlucky in the first-half when his shot crashed against a post, while Darren Harris also went close.

But France finished the match strongly, with the dangerous Frederic Villeroux leading their attacks.

Skyers plays his domestic blind football for the Hereford RNC Bulls who also have English, Jon Heenan and Lee Brunton in the GB squad.

He also splits his time playing sighted football for the likes of Evesham United, Stourport Swifts and Wellington when time allows.

“There’s a great buzz around the GB camp,” said Skyers.

“We took the European Champions all the way and preparations for the Paralympics are going well.

“It was a great performance from us to pitch ourselves against one of currently the best teams in the world.

“I was busier than I expected — we dominated the first-half and I also had to do a bit in the secondhalf.

“France got on top of us towards the end and I was pleased with a save which was low down by my left foot.

“I managed to get a finger to it and pushed the ball away.”