TALENTED Worcestershire footballer Gareth Williams-Howells is a step closer to winning a dream professional contract with Leyton Orient, Swindon Town or Wycombe Wanderers.

Defender Williams-Howells, pictured, 18, from Lower Broadheath, is one of 88 players who have progressed to the semi-final stages of Samsung’s nationwide Win A Pro Contract competition, which attracted a record number 5,700 entrants.

He will compete in an 11-a-side match against fellow amateur hopefuls at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park on Sunday in a bid to catch the eye.

Williams-Howells impressed the Football CV scouts at his regional trial at Birmingham Star City Goals Soccer Centre last month.

“I feel very privileged to be selected and proud of myself for being one of the 88 players remaining,” he said. “Since the regional trial I’ve been working on and off the pitch to better my fitness and physical ability, and I’ve been trying to maintain and improve all areas of my game.

“It’s a real honour to get this far and I just want to go all the way.”