Pictures by EPHY McCONNELL
Northern Ireland line up
KAYLI-Ann Clayton scored a hat-trick as the Northern Ireland Under-16 girls’ development side defeated Athlone Town 5-1 in their opening game in the SuperCupNI girls’ Premier section
Northern Ireland took the lead after just nine minutes when Lucy Kelly neatly curled the ball home and went two up on 19 minutes. Kelly provided the cross to the back post where Clayton volleyed it home.
Athlone then had some chances and keeper Abbie Smith made a couple of decent saves to keep her side 2-0 ahead at the break.
Northern Ireland captain Jessica McGuinness shot over the top as the first half (35 mins) drew to a close.
Six minutes after the restart Clayton grabbed her second of the game. She dribbled past a couple of defenders before finishing well into the bottom corner.
And she completed her hat-trick in the 43rd minute when she latched on to a misplaced pass and slammed the ball into the net.
Three substitutes were involved in what proved to be Northern Ireland’s final goal of the match. Subs Natnicha Mills and Mia Reilly combined with McGuinness in the build-up before the ball was played to sub Maja Stachura and she applied the finish on 66 minutes.
Antrim and Newtownabbey is once again hosting all the matches and finals in the girls’ sections at SuperCupNI (Junior and Premier).
Northern Ireland’s placing in the group will determine if they take part in the final of the Girls’ U16 (Premier) Cup, Globe or Vase later this week.
NORTHERN IRELAND: Abbie Smith, Lillie Horner, Chloe Beckinsale, Sophie Hutchinson, Caitlin Carlisle, Sophie Pollock, Lucy Kelly, Niamh Hassan, Jessica McGuinness (captain), Ava Hurl, Kayli-Ann Clayton. Substitutes: (used) Mia Reilly, Maja Stachura, Charlotte Havern, Caitie McGurnaghan, Tara Kerr, Natnicha Mills; (unused) Zara Maguire (GK).
Athlone Town
