Release Date: 27/01/2012

The Northern Ireland Schools Under 18 team opened their season with a creditable 1-1 draw against Australia in a closely contested match at Seaview.

 The Socceroos had already defeated the Welsh Schools 3-1 and the Welsh Colleges 3-2 on their UK tour and so Northern Ireland Manager Bob Ramsey was pleased with his side’s performance in ending the Aussies winning streak.

The home team forced the pace from the start and should have gone ahead after 8 minutes but Martin Murray’s lob was off target with only the keeper to beat.

Stephen Cockcroft was causing problems for the visitors and Luke Turnbull did well to hold a tantalising cross from the left with James McGahan about to pounce.  However, the keeper failed to deal with an inswinging corner by Cockcroft after 20 minutes and John McGuigan reacted quickly to head home from 6 yards.

Australia went close with a 20 yard drive by Stevan Illic which Carter Dawson dived to his left to turn the ball past the post.  Northern Ireland replied with a piledriver by McGuigan which was blocked but the ball fell to Michael Duffy and his fierce volley was well held by Turnbull

On the restart the Aussies took the initiative with Lochlan Reus pulling the strings in midfield and drew level on 69 minutes when Travis Cooper directed a header into the corner of the net giving substitute keeper Corey Wilson no chance.

Near the end Murray tested the keeper with a 30 yard free kick but in the closing minutes Australia missed a great chance to maintain their winning run when Ashley Dennis blazed over the top from close range following good work by Kieren Paull.

Northern Ireland go to the Channel Islands next week for games against Guernsey and Jersey before embarking on a campaign to retain the Centenary Shield.  They end their Centenary Shield mission with a game against Wales at Dungannon on Friday 20th April which will be shown live on Sky TV.

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