11/10/2011 - Bulgaria v Wales Fans
Venue: Vasil Levski National Sport Base, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Back row (Left to Right): Adrian Davies, Dan Price, Huw Williams, Andrew Dowling, ????, ????, Luke James, ????, ????, Will Johnson
Front row (Left to Right): Owen Williams, Rhys Hartley, Tim Hartley, ????, Lewis Crawley, Dave O'Gorman
On the morning of the main game Wales played a supporters game against a team of Bulgaria fans made up of mainly fans from CSKA Sofia. The game was played on the all-weather training pitch next to the Vasil Levski National Stadium and thanks to Elena Vatashka for arranging the game. Wales had seven new caps in their line up, Lewis Crawley, Michael Hilliard, Lloyd Price, Jon Ford, James Wike, Andrew Williams and Matt Williams. The rest of the Wales squad was made up of Luke James, Tim Hartley, Chester Hartley, Owen Williams, Dave O'Gorman, Huw Williams, Andrew Dowling, Will Johnson and Dan Price.
It was to be a tough game for Wales, two down at the interval and four down with just ten minutes remaining. However Will Johnson gave Wales and the large crowd of nearly 400 fans a grandstand finish, scoring from the spot and from a cheeky back heel, while also going close on another two occasions as Wales gave the Bulgarian side a late run for their money. Welsh keeper Luke James was once again outstanding but Johnson just edged him out for the man of the match award at the final whistle.
Wales captain, Dave O'Gorman, came in for some stick from sections of the Bulgarian press in the after-match press conference, after reacting nastily to goading from the Bulgarian fans during the game. They questioned why someone so poor at the game was captain of his national side, when Wales had natural leaders such as Will Johnson and Rhys Lewis. Dave just replied, "Ask my manager?"
