Northern Ireland’s Under-16s defeated hosts Scotland 1-0 in their second game in this year’s Victory Shield tournament. The goal was a beauty from Coran Madden.
Competition
Victory Shield
Scoreline
Scotland U16s 0-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Coran Madden (19’)
Venue
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld
Date
10 October 2024
Team News
Northern Ireland U16s head coach Kris Lindsay made five changes to the team that started game one in the tournament, a 3-3 draw against Cymru (Wales).
In came defenders Calum Woods and Sean Cassidy, forward Coran Madden plus midfielders Finlay Ross and Jay Longridge.
Dropping to the bench were defenders Paul Stanfield and Sonny Trainor plus midfielders Freddie Murdock, Caleb Sweeney and Harry Gough.
How it happened
It was cagey at the start and the stubborn Northern Ireland defence stood firm as Scotland pushed forward.
Northern Ireland striker Luke Hawe scooped a shot over the top before Lindsay’s side grabbed the lead on 19 minutes. Jay Longridge found Coran Madden (pictured) down the right about 35 yards from goal and he cut inside and strode forward to the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a low shot into the bottom corner. It was a sweet finish.
Scotland tried to bounce back. Northern Ireland keeper Michael Doherty had to be on his toes to push out a dangerous cross from Lucas Weir.
Madden fired a free-kick well over the top, while Hawe’s deflected shot was easily collected by Scotland keeper Ben Vickery.
Doherty saved a low drive from Scotland skipper Oliver Goodbrand and then was alert to thwart a follow-up effort from striker Caelan Cadamarteri. And then Charlie Campbell blocked a goal-bound effort from Cole Hay.
Half-time: Scotland U16s 0-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Just after the break Vickery grabbed a Finlay Ross cross into the area. Down the other end Scotland’s Ben Hutton got on the end of a Hay free-kick but could only guide his header over the bar.
Doherty punched away another decent Hay delivery from a free-kick as the hosts searched for an equaliser, while a Madden cross into the area just evaded Hawe. Joel Kerr sped down the left flank but his cross also failed to reach the onrushing Hawe.
In the closing stages Scotland had set-piece opportunities, however their final delivery let them down. Goodbrand also steered a shot wide of the target, but Northern Ireland comfortably held out to secure all three points.
Northern Ireland’s final game in this year’s tournament is against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday (13 October) at 11.30am.
And if they are victorious in that game they will win the Victory Shield. The Republic, who drew with Scotland in their first game but missed out on a bonus point from the penalty shootout, defeated Wales by three goals to two today.
Like Northern Ireland, the Republic currently have four points from two games, while the Scots and Welsh have two points apiece.
Full-time: Scotland U16s 0-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Scotland U16s: Ben Vickery, Arron McSporran, Oliver Goodbrand (captain), Nathan Meechan, Aaron Thomson, Lucas Weir, Stanley Wilson, Ben Hutton, Caelan Cadamarteri, Jamie Forrest, Cole Hay.
Substitutes: Kerr Reynolds, Jack Dalziel, Alfie Hutchison, Conor Daly, Rocco Di Giacomo, Max Cameron.
Northern Ireland U16s: Michael Doherty, Sean Cassidy, Charlie Campbell, Calum Anderson, Calum Woods, Finlay Ross, Coran Madden, Jay Longridge, Luke Hawe, Eamonn Tohill, Joel Kerr.
Substitutes: Cole Smyth (GK), Paul Stanfield, Sonny Trainor, Freddie Murdock, Caleb Sweeney, Emmett Morrison, Adam Dolan, Harry Gough, Jack May.
Action from the game v Scotland
