ABERYSTWYTH footballer Rhys Norrington-Davies tasted victory on his senior international debut as a young Wales side kept plugging away to seal a late win in Bulgaria which kept them on top of their Nations League group.
Ryan Giggs’ men shaped up as the more dangerous outfit for the majority of the 90 minutes and were well worth the three points, built on another solid defensive display with no goals conceded in the last 10 hours of competitive football.
Norrington-Davies, a former Ysgol Penglais pupil, and currently playing for Championship side Luton Town on loan from Premier League outfit Sheffield United, was thrilled with the win.
“It was an amazing feeling,” said the 21-year-old. “The gaffer’s put his trust in me. It’s obviously my debut tonight, he’s put me straight in. It was a big responsibility but the main thing is we’ve gone out and got the three points.
“I thought we played some good football in the first half. It was a bit scrappy in the second half but we’ve built on that and we’ve got the goal, the winner, and we could have got a couple more goals as well.”
Wales switched to a back three against Bulgaria with Norrington-Davies and Neco Williams utilised as attacking wing backs, and the system suited the young Welshmen.
“I’m used to it at club football, coming from Sheffield United playing 3-5-2, so I knew my responsibilities this evening,” he explained.
“We’ve worked on it for a couple of days in training and the boys took to it straight away and knew what we were doing. I thought we did well in that system tonight.”
Wales have made a habit of scoring late goals recently, the winner in Sofia via Jonny Williams’ boot, his first goal for his country as he earned his 25th cap.
“We keep on trying to break teams down,” said Rhys. “I feel like we threatened them a few times in the first half but it wasn’t to be.
“But we’re just relentless, we kept on going at them and the opportunity was always going to come towards the latter stages when people get tired.”
Topping League B Group 4 with no goals conceded and two remaining games Rhys added: “I think we were just a tight unit. We communicate well with each other, we know our roles and responsibilities and that’s the main thing.
“We’ve got a couple of games left but we take every game as it comes.”
Back in Aberystwyth Rhys’ proud parents Patrick and Lowri said: “We’re absolutely delighted and so proud that all his efforts and hard work since he was just nine year old have paid off and his dream to play for the Wales senior squad have come true.
“He gave up his childhood to follow his dream and tonight he will be truly a very happy young man.”
Ryan Giggs said he was a “proud” manager after watching his young squad extend their unbeaten run in competitive football to nine games.
“I thought we deserved the win, it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t won tonight.
“We kept going which is a good trait to have and scoring late goals.
“It was a really proud moment because that was a young team and they’ll learn so much from that tonight.
“I’m proud of them because they kept going and tried to play the right way.
“I know what they’re capable of, I’ve seen it in training and there were some really good, strong performances tonight.
“I thought Neco in his first start and Rhys on the other flank, with his first start, were outstanding.”