Northern Ireland Under-21s registered a superb goalless draw against England U21s in a Euro qualifier in Ballymena tonight.
Tommy Wright’s side produced a gritty, gutsy display against the reigning European champions in front of 3,237 spectators at the Showgrounds.
England, packed with players who operate in the Premier League, were repelled by a superb Northern Ireland defence.
The U21s, who were beaten 3-0 by England in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in November, contested every ball and put their bodies on the line time and time again.
But it was not all about keeping England out in the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifier. The home side also created chances against the top seeds in Group F and could arguably have won the game.
England drove forward early on. In the first minute winger Jonathan Rowe blasted a shot just wide of the post.
The visitors had plenty of the ball in the opening stages without creating any clearcut chances. And the Northern Ireland back three of Tommy Fogarty, Aaron Donnelly and Michael Forbes, flanked by the hard-working Terry Devlin and Sean Stewart, dealt superbly with anything that was thrown at them.
Northern Ireland’s first chance came on 17 minutes. Striker and captain Dale Taylor found space inside the England area but his scuffed shot was comfortably collected by England keeper James Trafford.
In the 25th minute Northern Ireland keeper Pierce Charles was called into action. Playmaker James McAtee swivelled away from his marker just inside the area and Charles got down well to push his low shot past the post.
Then Charles sped off his line to gather at the feet of McAtee as he was about to get on the end of a long pass from debutant Elliot Anderson. Minutes later McAtee fired a shot over the top.
Donnelly headed a Justin Devenny delivery from a free-kick across the six-yard area. England wing-back Archie Gray made contact with the ball as it travelled towards the back post. Northern Ireland attacker JJ McKiernan just failed to connect with it. Instead he collided with Trafford and was booked for his troubles.
On 42 minutes McAtee whipped in a free-kick which was met by striker Morgan Rogers and his powerful header went inches over the bar.
Just after the break Charles did well to keep out a rasping McAtee shot with his feet.
England stepped things up. Anderson tried his luck from distance but his effort sailed over the bar.
McAtee teed up Jamie Bynoe-Gittens; his low drive was smothered by Charles.
The lively McAtee cleverly jinked his way into the area but his goal-bound curling effort struck Donnelly on the face and went out for a corner.
As England piled on the pressure every player in a green shirt worked their socks off to make tackles and block passes and shots. Midfielders Devenny, Darren Robinson and Patrick Kelly provided a solid shield for the defensive unit.
England substitute Liam Delap headed over as the visitors turned the screw.
But Northern Ireland went close on 69 minutes. Devenny found space outside the area and unleashed a piledriver which drifted just off target.
Six minutes later a loose pass fell to Northern Ireland substitute and U21s debutant Makenzie Kirk outside the area but he snatched at the chance and fired his shot wide of the target.
Down the other end Charles got down well to keep out a stinging drive from Delap and moments later he spread himself superbly to repel an Anderson shot.
On 86 minutes Devenny came within a whisker of giving Northern Ireland the lead. His well-struck half-volley from the edge of the area flew inches over the top.
McAtee fluffed his lines when teed up by Delap. His effort drifted well off target. In added time Hayden Hackney shot straight at Charles, but it was all over bar the shouting.
Next up for Northern Ireland’s U21s is a game against current Group F table toppers Ukraine at Ballymena Showgrounds on Tuesday (10 September). That game has a 7.45pm start and is free entry.
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Terry Devlin, Sean Stewart, Tommy Fogarty, Aaron Donnelly, Michael Forbes, Darren Robinson, Patrick Kelly, Dale Taylor (captain), JJ McKiernan, Justin Devenny.
Substitutes: (used) Makenzie Kirk, Charlie Allen, Shea Kearney, Jonny Russell, Barry Baggley; (unused) Stephen McMullan (GK), Euan Williams, Matthew Lusty, Tom Atcheson.
England: James Trafford, Archie Gray, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Jarell Quansah, Taylor Harwood-Bellis (captain), Callum Doyle, Elliot Anderson, Hayden Hackney, Morgan Rogers, James McAtee, Jonathan Rowe.
Substitutes: James Beadle (GK), Jack Hinshelwood, Tyler Morton, Alex Scott, Liam Delap, Lewis Hall, Samuel Iling-Junior, Charlie Cresswell, Tom Fellows.
Main image: Justin Devenny battles for the ball with England’s James McAtee.
Action from the Showgrounds
