Northern Ireland U/18 Schools 2-1 Wales U/18 Schools
The Republic of Ireland Schools team have been given a lifeline by Bob Ramsey’s Northern Ireland as they defeated Wales 2/1 in Dungannon Swifts FC tonight (April 20, 2012):
Ramsey’s side were hampered by the late withdrawal of a number of key players due to their domestic calendar:
Wales on the other hand were in pole position heading into their final game and only needed a draw against bottom of the table Northern Ireland to ensure their name was etched into the silverware this year for the first time in 31 years: A win would have seen them being presented with the Cup following the game followed by huge celebrations in the Welsh capital!
However Ramsey’s side came from two goals down to shock league leaders Wales and more importantly open the way for the Republic of Ireland or England to secure the Shield this season:
The Republic will set their own destiny next week as they face England in what will prove to be the decisive final game in the Centenary Shield at Brighton & Hove FC:
It was an empathic win for the North as prior to this game they had failed to secure any points in the campaign or even score a goal:
Both teams were eager to impress as the game was televised live on Sky Sports: It was evident that a few of the younger players were nervous as they attempted to get to grips with the pace of the game:
A disastrous start for the hosts as Ryan Jones got the visitors off to the prefect start on 14 minutes with a goal from nothing:
It was route one football that paved the way for the Welsh goal as a defensive clearance deep in their half was ploughed forward by Parry: Youngster Ryan Jones was on hand to stir the ball clear after a defensive blunder from Dillion and Keeper Wilson ensured Ryan time on the ball: Jones had a good turn of pace to pick up the loose ball and slot into an open net:
Wales started controlling the game after twenty minutes of play with Northern Ireland striker Curran left isolated upfront:
The only decent attempt from the hosts came courtesy of skipper Niall Quinn, his effort testing Martin in the Welsh goal on 26 minutes:
Eight minutes from the interval saw 16 year old Alex Samuel feed Webb across the box for a snapshot on the Northern Ireland goal: Wilson did well to save the stinging effort and keep his side in contention:
Wales may have felt hard done by as a number of penalty shouts were ignored by referee Andrew Davey in the first half:
Ramsey opted for a 4/1/4/1 formation in the first half which wasn’t reaping any benefits so he wisely chose to change this sophisticated system of approach to the more modern 4/4/2 format:
The veteran also introduced striker, O’Hanlon in place of midfielder McCreanor at half time to provide Curran with some more needed assistance upfront:
At this juncture, Northern Ireland had conceded 10 goals in the competition and failed to score any so something had to change for the Northerners in the second half:
Any that it did, in dramatic circumstances
The North were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes as Andrew Jones was deemed to have clipped the heels of the fast approaching Michael Duffy in the area: Ryan Curran converted the spot kick with accuracy, cancelling out the efforts of Ryan Jones in the first half to make it all square:
Super sub O’Hanlon was having a dramatic effect on the game as his long range effort was just wide of the mark four minutes into the restart:
At this point in time, Wales were losing their composure and shape:
O’Hanlon was involved in the action once more as his wonderful pass from the right wing was nailed with precision to Daniel Dillion who headed home Northern Ireland’s second on 56 minutes:
From one nil down to 2/1 up in the space of ten minutes at the start of the second half, it was some transformation on proceedings and some tactical changes from Ramsey to have the foresight to make such a bold substitution, who would have thought it, would make such an impact on the game:
Wales were stunned as a brace of goals inside seven minutes changed the entire outlook of events for Martin Evans & Co: Wales looked like winning the Shield comfortably in the first half as they entered the encounter as hot favourites but they were slowly losing their grip on the Shield:
Northern Ireland were so close to securing their third of the evening as 16 year old, Simon Hanna’s half volley off his left peg smashed the crossbar just over the hour mark
However, the visitors were getting a short foothold back in the game with 25 minutes remaining: A change in format was called for as Evans made a double substitution which saw McDaid and Webb withdrawn for Curtis and Beck to be introduced:
O’Hanlon was making a nuisance of himself as his assists were providing much needed ball to Cockcroft and Hanna, both came close, testing the Welsh net minder between the posts with twenty minutes left in the game
Skipper Niall Quinn set up Michael Duffy beautifully but his acrobatic header was just wide of the post on 71 minutes played:
The Welsh side wouldn’t panic at the stage of the game as they had found themselves on the back foot against Scotland last month and managed to come from a goal behind to defeat the Scots 2/1 away from home: The same spirited performance from Evans’ men could ensure a draw at least:
Ramsey made the second of his changes with fifteen minutes remaining, McIlreen called into the action for the industrious Hanna:
Moments later, Wales also took the opportunity to introduce fresh legs as Alex Samuel was withdrawn to make way for Josh Roberts who had just returned to the squad from injury:
It was one way traffic for Northern Ireland as they kept consistent pressure on the Welsh defence: The visitors looked very much like losing a valuable three points in the series with only ten minutes of the game to go:
The fast paced game ensured end to end action as both sides were gifted excellent opportunities to convert
Welsh skipper Lee Evans’ header went agonising close to an equaliser on 84 minutes as Harmer drilled the ball in from a corner kick:
It was edge of the seat time as the Welsh looked dangerously close to scoring a second: Republic of Ireland and Manager, Ollie Horgan and England Manager, Andy Williams were watching on with fainted breath as the minutes ticked by:
Seconds later, at the other end of the field, Duffy whipped in a delightful ball into the box for the on/waiting O’Hanlon to pounce: His effort was heading straight for the goal as Harmer spectacularly cleared the ball off the goal line after keeper Martin failed to save: With only five minutes of normal time remaining, how crucial would that interception be?
The North made their third substitution of the game, a tactic used to waste some valuable seconds, as Cockcroft who had an outstanding game for the North, was replaced by 16 year old Hegarty on 88 minutes:
The Welsh skipper Lee Evans was gifted another excellent chance in the box but this strike was a fraction too high and drifted over the woodwork with only seconds remaining:
A minimum of three minutes was added: Anxious times for the Republic of Ireland and England management as they watched on in anticipation: More importantly, the Northern Ireland side on the verge of a spectacular upset
Joe Thomas pushed forward for Wales as another attacking option late on: He assisted Ryan Jones as the youngster went so close to snatching a consolation goal and more importantly a vital point in the campaign with two minutes of added time played but his effort went excruciating past the post:
This was the last of the Welsh attacking prowess as Andrew Davey called an end to the action: An empathic win for Northern Ireland at home as they end their campaign on a high:
Bitter disappointment for Martin Evan’s side as they failed to complete a win that could have seen Wales lift the Shield in what is a 31 year absence:
Team’s level on points simply shares the trophy so a result for either the Republic of Ireland or England will ensure victory: All is not lost for Wales however, as a draw would ensure that Wales and England share the title:
Wales will have to sweat on the result of the final game in the Centenary Shield to discover their outcome: For Horgan and Williams, their faith is in their hands come Thursday night:
Republic of Ireland Manager, Ollie Horgan will be hoping to add to the Republic of Ireland’s title tally as the Irish have captured the Centenary Shield five times in nine years since their introduction to the competition in 2003 (RECORD: 2003, 2004, 2005 (Joint winners with Northern Ireland, 2008 and 2010):
Only England stand in the way of a dramatic end to Horgan’s term in office and I’m sure the St: Eunan’s teacher will want to end the tough season on a high:
NORTHERN IRELAND: Wilson, Glendinning, McKinney, Dillion, Quinn, Duffy, Mitchell, McCreanor, Hanna, Cockcroft, Curran
Subs: O’Hanlon for McCreanor (h/t), McIlreen for Hanna (75), Hegarty for Cockcroft (88)
Manager: Bob Ramsey
WALES: Martin, Harmer, Thomas, Medwin, Parry, Webb, A: Jones, Evans, McDaid, Samuel, R: Jones
Subs: Curtis for McDaid (68), Beck for Webb (68), Roberts for Samuel (79),
Manager: Martin Evans
REFEREE: Andrew Davey
END