A GROUP of West Wiltshire footballers came close to being involved in a shock victory over European champions AC Milan in an international tournament in Bulgaria at the weekend.

The nine boys, all under 14, joined nine players from Malta's St Andrew's academy to form a squad in a four-day tournament against some of Europe's top sides.

In front of about 2,000 supporters, AC Milan's under 14s took a 2-0 lead after five minutes but the St Andrew's side pulled one back before half-time and then spent the whole second half pressing for the equaliser.

Milan managed to hang on to the win but the combined team did manage to secure a draw with the eventual runners-up, FC Trayana of Bulgaria.

Bradford on Avon's Dan Fowler scored the opening goal and the equaliser only came six minutes into injury time.

Other Wiltshire goal scorers during the trip were Bradford's Sam Jordan, Rob Manning of Shaw and Whitley and Liam Richards, Jed Osborne and Dan Jordan of Trowbridge Town.

The trip was the first joint venture undertaken by the Maltese academy and the UK, with the academy due to set up the first of its English subsidiaries this August in Winsley.

Vernon Osborne, a leading figure in the setting up the Wiltshire-based academy, was delighted with the way the tour went.

He said: "I think it was quite a culture shock for the lads at first, but the tournament was very well run.

"They played in front of about 2,000 people and their first game was against the local Bulgarian side, FC Rakovski.

"It was a very hostile atmosphere for the boys.

"It was a great experience and they all really enjoyed it. We made friends with the Milan camp, and in fact watched their first team lose 4-0 in the Champions League on the television with them.

"We are hoping to arrange a tour to Milan next year and also have been invited back to this tournament next year when a team from San Francisco will be involved."

The St Andrew's Academy is due to go live in the UK in August 2004 and as a lead up to this 100 players from the Maltese academy will come to Wiltshire in July to play a series of matches against some of the region's youth clubs.

Anyone wishing to know more about the St Andrew's academy in the UK, including any coaches who wish their sides to play against the Maltese when they visit, should contact Vernon Osborne on (01225) 868383.