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Hughes A
Lucky Man?
Liechtenstein U21 1 Northern Ireland U21 4
13th April 2006
Lincoln City defender Jeff Hughes was a relieved man last
night, as he suffered mixed emotions while playing for
Northern Ireland's Under 21 side.
Northern Ireland had travelled to Liechtenstein to play a
first leg European Championships qualifier. This was
Hughes' fourth cap - and his third start - but only his
first competitive fixture for the Northern Ireland Under
21 side.
Disaster was to strike in the 7th minute when Hughes sent
a seemingly harmless backpass to his goalkeeper Michael
McGovern. Unfortunately, a bumpy pitch caused Celtic
goalkeeper McGovern to allow the ball to trickle under
his feet and into the net to register an own goal for
Hughes!
Undeterred by this clanger, Northern Ireland set about
scoring the equaliser. Both Mark McChrystal and David
Scullion went close for Northern Ireland before the Irish
scored in the 33rd minute. A Sammy Clingan (Nottingham
Forest) free-kick was headed into the net by Livingston's
Sam Morrow for 1-1.
Liechtenstein Under-21 side made Northern Ireland fight
for their victory and it might have been a different
ending had Brian Gilfillan not headed Stefan Buchel's
47th minute header off the goal line.
Northern Ireland then ceased control, as long-range shots
from Gilfillan and Morrow extended their lead to 3-1. The
victory was wrapped up by Scullion when he scored an
excellent goal that saw him race from his own half before
scoring for 4-1.
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