The Ulster U16 boys’ lost 2-0 to Scotland in this afternoon’s game at Ulster University despite a much improved performance from their 5-1 defeat on Friday evening.
Late goals in either half were enough for the visitors to seal an away win but it didn’t come without Ulster creating several big chances in the game.
It took until the final minute of the first quarter for the first chance of the game when Scotland were awarded a penalty corner.
From the resulting set-play a Scottish drag flick was denied by a strong left arm by goalkeeper Zak Larmour to send the sides into the second quarter goalless.
The quiet start to the game continued as Scotland won a second penalty corner of the game midway through the second period but were again denied by Larmour in goal.
Shortly after Ulster won a corner of their own, but Josh Ferguson saw his strike from the top of the circle deflect wide of the post by the first runner.
With the game approaching the end of the first half, it was Scotland who took the lead.
Breaking down the left wing, a Scottish forward was allowed to cut inside before unleashing a strike from the top of the circle and picking out the bottom corner.
Midway through the third quarter, Ulster had their best chance of the game so far as Finn Thompson drilled a reverse ball across the face of goal, but Angus Barbour was unfortunate not to deflect the ball goal-bound.
Still 1-0 going into the final period, Ulster had another great chance to level the scoring after Noah Cuddy found teammate Angus Barbour in the circle.
The Ulster forward was smothered by the Scottish goalkeeper before Daniel Currie saw his effort saved, and a Carter Lunn strike went just wide of the post as it remained 1-0.
However, with just three minutes remaining, Scotland got the second goal, converting from a late penalty corner to seal a narrow 2-0 win for the visitors.
The sides meet for the final time tomorrow morning at Ulster University, Jordanstown with the action set to get underway at 11:30.