PICTURES BY BOB HALL
GAIL Redmond’s Northern Ireland U19s were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland in a friendly preparation for the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship. Aimee Kerr with a penalty in the first half but the Swiss pulled one back to level the score in the second.
The teams will meet again at Blanchflower Stadium on Monday, October 28 (3.00pm).
The games will help Redmond prepare her squad for stage one of the qualifiers for the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship.
Northern Ireland have been drawn in League A Group 6 where they will face holders Spain, Iceland and Belgium. Those games will be played from 27 November to 3 December in Spain.
Both defences were on top in the early stages, with chances few and far between.
Switzerland enjoyed the bulk of the possession as the half wore on, however the Northern Ireland back line stood firm.
The home side took the lead from the penalty spot in the 41st minute.
Swiss left back Fiona Sperlich handled the ball in the area as Rhianna Breen applied pressure. Midfielder Aimee Kerr stepped up to the spot and neatly stroked the ball into the net.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 1 Switzerland WU19s 0
Just after the restart Switzerland substitute keeper Tamara Biedermann made a smart save from a Breen drive.
Switzerland drew level when attacker Aida Ragusa sped through, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball home.
Both teams huffed and puffed but again neither side could create any clearcut openings.
In the closing stages Northern Ireland keeper Kate Smith clutched a dangerous cross into the area.
And then substitute Bernie Ferreira had a good effort saved by the Swiss keeper.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 1 Switzerland WU19s 1
Line-ups
Northern Ireland WU19s: Kate Smith, Orleigha McGuinness, Sofie Keenan, Faye Loughran, Abi Sweetlove (captain), Darcie McNeill, Rachel McIntyre, Aimee Kerr, Kascie Weir, Rhianna Breen, Gracie Conway. Substitutes: (used) Bernie Ferreira, Sophie Kelly-Bradley, Anastasia Stanyte, Niamh O’Donnell, Katie Markey; (unused) Cerys Sharkey (GK), Sophie Magee, Sophie Gargan, Rebecca Mann, Ellen Hampton, Clodagh Maguire.
Switzerland WU19s: Yasmine Ammar, Janina Egli (captain), Fiona Sperlich, Mia Bennewitz, Zoe Donni, Lia Kamber, Leela Egli, Noemi Ivelj, Emanuela Pfister, Nevia Stoob, Aida Ragusa. Substitutes: (used) Tamara Biedermann (GK), Andrea Schenk, Emilie Mece; (unused) Lorena Barth (GK), Alexia Morales, Lola Brugger, Leane Fontaine, Joana Dias, Anja Klingenstein, Manon Kellenberger.
Swiss visitors
