Wales End on a Winning Note
By Effective Communication
Wales 2 Northern Ireland 0
After an unlucky streak in this year’s Victory Shield tournament the Wales U16 team has ended their campaign on a positive note and won their final match.
The 2-0 win against Northern Ireland in Port Talbot means Wales will avoid the wooden spoon – thanks to Ipswich Town’s Jack Simmons, who scored both goals.
Although Northern Ireland started strongly and won most of the first half possession, the visitor’s defenders failed to deal with an excellent cross from Will Roberts and Simmons struck in the 14th minute.
The second half proved very even but Wales’ organisation paid off and the visitors found it hard to make any chances. Wales’ second goal came in added time following a cross by Will Roberts which was headed on by substitute Robbie Parry for Simmons to finish.
After the game Technical Director Osian Roberts said: “I thought it was an outstanding performance considering the difficult windy conditions and the boys showed great passion and desire which is important for any Welsh team. We defended well when we had to, always looked dangerous on the counter attack and took our chances when they came our way. We’ve had a good week and I asked the boys to finish off in style which they did.”
Ian Rush the Elite Performance Director, who has been in attendance with the squad during the Victory Shield campaign, said: “Over the last 12 months the education the boys have received means they’ve progressed very well. They now move onto the under 17s and I’ll watch their further development with great interest”.
Teams:
Wales: Luke Chambers, Adam Henley, Jordan Holt, Alex Nicholson, Will James (Capt), Elliott Scotcher, James Loveridge, George Higgins, Leon Newell, Jack Simmons, Will Roberts.
Subs: Christian Dibble, Robbie Parry, Declan John, Callum Holden, Lewis Blackmore, Josh Pike, Rhys James.
Northern Ireland: Gareth Dean, Ryan McLaughlin, Matthew Clarke, Luke McCullough (Capt), Joey Jones, Douglas Wilson, Joshua Barton, David Morgan, Seamus McCartan, Conal McGrandles, Luke Conlan.
Subs: Conor Brennan, Mathew Deighan, Shane McKinney, Paul George, Noel Lawless, Dominic Ball.
Substitutions:
Northern Ireland:
22m Paul George for Luke Conlan
54m Matthew Deighan for Joey Jones
67m Noel Lawless for Ryan McCullough and Dominic Ball for Conall McGgranles
Wales:
59m Declan John for Leon Newell
72m Robbie Parry for James Loveridge
75m Josh Pike for Jordan Holt
