NORTHERN Ireland Women’s Under-15s were defeated 3-0 by Romania WU15s in a development tournament in Bulgaria…. but it was a rather unusual game in that it was completed across two days – and days apart.
Played at the Hadzhi Dimitar Stadium, Sliven, Bulgaria, the first half of the game against Romania was played on Sunday (September 29) – the game being abandoned at half-time due to thunder and lightning – and the second half was played on Thursday (October 3) as that was the only day that it could be fitted in.
Northern Ireland, who were defeated 6-1 by Hungary earlier this week, are due to play their final game in the four-team against hosts Bulgaria later on Friday.
The first half, staged on Sunday, was played in stormy conditions. Romania had the wind at their backs and they took full advantage of it.
They fired a couple of efforts over the top before Northern Ireland keeper Anna Roberts produced two fine stops in quick succession.
Romania then hit the woodwork on 25 minutes before opening the scoring on the half-hour mark.
Niamh McDaid forced a good save out of the Romania keeper before the Romanians grabbed a second goal as half-time approached.
Half-time: Romania WU15s 2-0 Northern Ireland WU15s
In the opening 10 minutes of the second half, played four days later, Northern Ireland more than matched the Romanians’ aggression and had good spells of possession.
Roberts did well to keep out a well-struck free-kick before Romania extended their lead from the second phase of a corner.
On 65 minutes, following some good combination play in the middle of the park, Grace Pinkerton played Ellie Tohill through for a one-v-one with the keeper, however she guided her shot inches past the post.
Then Pinkerton played Abi Curley in behind the Romanian defence. She fired a dangerous cross into the area which narrowly evaded a couple of Northern Ireland players.
On 76 minutes Grace Murray’s crisp shot from the edge of the area was saved by the Romanian keeper.
The closing stages were scrappy as Romania slowed the tempo.
Full-time: Romania WU15s 3-0 Northern Ireland WU15s
Northern Ireland: Anna Roberts, Lacey Mai McVicker, Anayah Lee, Autumn Edgar, Anna Smyth (captain), Grace Murray, Niamh McDaid, Charley McMullan, Kacylee Mitchell, Abigail Curley, Grace Steele. Subs: (used) Grace Pinkerton, Ellie Tohill, Mea Foster, Annabelle Shaw, Alexandra McKinnon, Annarose Robinson; (unused) Bella McDaid (GK), Indie McQuillan, Caitlin Shields.
Romania: Maria Codrea, Stefania Suciu, Maria Iovu, Gabriela Rafaila, Nicole Ciortea (captain), Raisa Bujoreanu, Naomi Crisan, Octavia Pirse, Maria Balici, Ioana Mihalache-Vosloban, Raluca Boghici. Subs: Nicola Alecsandru (GK), Ioana Abagiu, Krisztina Miucsan, Karla Mincu, Daria Popescu, Camelia Tanase, Surya Matei, Miriam Patrascu-Raileanu Erika Andronache.
Northern Ireland lost their final game 1-0 to Bulgaria.]
