English Schools' Football Association

England and N.Ireland boys in action

England Under 18 Schoolboys’ hopes of regaining the Carnegie Centenary Shield this season took a severe blow on Friday evening as the went down 1-0 to Northern Ireland at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose Stadium.

England started off slowly as Aaron McElwee, who missed the 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland through injury, soon made his presence felt as he worked industriously in midfield with the visitors taking control in the early stages.

Northern Ireland had claims for a penalty turned down in the eleventh minute when Liam Boyce was sent tumbling in the penalty area.

England went close after 12 minutes when Joe Villiers saw his shot cleared off the line by Craig Hill.

Boyce and Gavin McParland then combined well for the visitors to create a chance for Boyce but the striker’s low right foot shot across goal went inches past the post.

McElwee and McParland were also just off target as Northern Ireland continued to dominate. Five minutes before the break Boyce saw his header trickle across goal but no one was on hand to apply the finishing touch.

After the interval Northern Ireland continued to dictate the play. On 77 minutes neat interplay between Stephen Dooley and Mark Haughey created an opening for McElwee whose shot was blocked on the line. One minute later McElwee fired a left foot shot from 22 yards which dipped just over the bar.

With 10 minutes remaining Northern Ireland captain Darren McCauley finally broke the deadlock. Boyce and McElwee split open the home defence and when McElwee found McCauley with a cross from the left the tall midfielder buried his shot into the corner of the net from 10 yards.

England will have to win both of their remaining games and hope that results also go in their favour to stand any chance of lifting the Carnegie Shield this season. Both matches can be seen live on Sky Sports 2 as follows:

Friday 17 April - Scotland v England - St Mirren Football Club - Kick-off: 7.35 pm and Friday 24 April - Republic of Ireland v England - Waterford United Football Club - Kick-off: 7.35 pm

Team Line-ups

England: Tom Pass, Matthew Tasker, Joe Clayton, Jamie Libby, Jacob Baptista, Joe Villiers, Taylor Morgan, Danny Watson, David Wheeler, James Norwood, Robert Carter. Subs: Simon Johnson, Steven Norris, Tom Chapman, Matthew Whitbread, David Knight, Nick Hancock, Michael Scott.

Northern Ireland: Niall Morgan, Mark Haughey, Andy Devlin, Craig Hill, Damien McNulty, Aaron McElwee, Stephen Dooley, Darren McCauley, Liam Boyce, Gavin McParland, Ryan Burns. Subs: Graeme Taylor, Jimmy Callacher, Conor Deane, Scott Lynas, Dean McInnes, James Peden, Daniel Devine.

For results and league tables go to www.esfa.co.uk/international
More photos can be viewed at www.rwt-photography.co.uk