Northern Ireland men’s Futsal team rounded off the Home Nations Championship with a fantastic victory over Scotland.
Jonathan Michael’s men went into Sunday’s clash with the Scots on the back of defeats to Wales and hosts England on Friday and Saturday respectively.
But Sunday’s clash proved to be the highlight of the weekend as Michael’s men fought back from 3-1 down to win 5-3.
Dayle Robertson had put the Scots in front early on before Connor McLaren doubled their advantage at St George’s Park. Their lead lasted a matter of minutes before Belfast United player Craig Taylor pulled one back from a 10-metre penalty.
The Scots restored their two-goal cushion when McLaren found the net for a second time before Northern Ireland skipper Adam Barr pulled one back from a set-piece.
Josh Lowry rounded off a nicely worked team goal when he slotted from close range to bring the scores level with a little over seven minutes remaining.
And it was that man Lowry who helped edge Michael’s side in front when his deflected shot nestled in the bottom corner to make it 4-3.
Ryan Dabbs put the icing on the cake with number five when he broke free and slotted the ball between the legs of Scottish ‘keeper Darren Clarkson.
England 6-4 Northern Ireland
On Saturday, Northern Ireland were edged out 6-4 by England who would eventually go on to win the competition.
Dabbs put Northern Ireland in front in the fifth minute but England piled on the pressure and equalised through Richard Ward.
Northern Ireland stopper Matthew McErlain saved a penalty but another spot-kick, tucked away by Doug Reed, gave England a 2-1 advantage at the break.
England skipper Raoni Medina made it 3-1 minutes after the re-start but NI pulled one back through Taylor.
Ward netted his second of the game to make it 4-2 before Matt Overton and Jordan Deer both scored to give the Three Lions a four-goal advantage.
Medina then saw red for two yellow cards and Millar netted from a rebound after his 10-metre penalty had initially been saved by Joe Payne.
Northern Ireland pulled another back through Taylor’s 10-metre penalty but it proved to be a mere consolation.
Northern Ireland 3-9 Wales
In Friday’s opening game of the tournament Northern Ireland lost 9-3 to Wales. With Barr, Scott Gunn and Connor Millar all on target, the game was locked at 3-3 before the Welsh went on to dominate, firing home six goals without reply.
