Under 16 Victory Shield 

Northern Ireland 1 - 3 Wales 

Wales opened the scoring after 7 minutes when Sion Spence met a cross from the right and drilled a low shot past Oliver Webber.The Northern Ireland Under 16 team ended their Victory Shield campaign by going down 3-1 to Wales at Newport.

Northern Ireland pressed strongly and Luke Ferguson was narrowly off target with a header from a corner by Jordan McEneff.

On the half hour Northern Ireland deservedly drew level with a brilliant goal as McEneff netted with a 25 yard drive into the top corner of the net.  Soon afterwards Alex McIlmail went close but his fierce drive from the edge of the box was deflected over the bar.

After the interval Northern Ireland continued to force the pace but Leo Brown could only shoot straight at the keeper when well placed.  Brown then again tested the keeper who did well to tip his header over the bar.

Wales always looked dangerous on the breakaway and Rabbi Matonda outpaced the Northern Ireland defence but his shot went inches wide. With six minutes remaining the speedy winger made the vital breakthrough for the hosts as he cut in from the left and calmly lifted a shot over the advancing Webber.

With Northern Ireland pushing forward in search of the equaliser a freak goal settled the issue in the fourth minute of added time as a wind assisted clearance from the half way line by Steffan Buckeley flew over Webber and into the net.

This win meant that Wales retained the Victory Shield while Northern Ireland finished as runners up.

Northern Ireland

Substitutes

The Northern Ireland Under 16 team began their Victory Shield campaign with a scoreless draw against the Republic of Ireland at Newport.

The Republic threatened first after 16 minutes when centre back Kevin Healy met a free kick by Aaron Bolger but his powerful header was well held by Oliver Webber.  Three  minutes later a neat interpassing movement sent Aaron Connolly in the clear but again Webber was equal to the task saving his low drive.

Northern Ireland's best attack came after 22 minutes as right winger Harry Robinson outpaced the Republic defence but his fierce shot was deflected over the bar.  From the resulting corner the ball fell to Josh Tipping but the striker saw his shot cannon off the upright and be scrambled away.

Soon afterwards Reece McGinley had the ball in the net but was adjudged to be marginally off side.

After the interval the Republic started strongly and James Jennings grazed the upright with a shot from the edge of the box.

McGinley was causing problems for the Republic defence and after a mazy run the winger sent over a deep cross to Ethan Galbraith but the substitute's volley flew inches past the post.

In the closing stages the Republic applied strong pressure but could make little impression on a solid defence in which captain Luke Ferguson was outstanding.

Northern Ireland

Oliver Webber

Sean Wallace

Aaron Donnelly

Keith Kearney

Luke Ferguson (c)

Jordan McEneff

Josh Tipping

Reece McGinley

Harry Robinson

Niall Owens

Caola Boyd

Substitutes

Barney McKeown (replaced Owens 40 minutes)

Ethan Galbraith (replaced Robinson 52 minutes)

Jack Chambers (replaced Boyd 63 minutes)

Leo Brown (replaced McGinley 63 minutes)

Ethan Warnock (replaced Kearney 66 minutes)