Starting line-up in Romania
NORTHERN Ireland’s senior women’s team drew 1-1 with Romania in a UEFA Women’s Nations League game in Bucharest on Friday.
Tanya Oxtoby’s side took the lead with a fine first half strike from Danielle Maxwell in what was part one of a double header against Romania this month.
But the home side equalised and held on to earn their first point in League B Group 1.
It was a game of very few chances at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in the Romanian capital.
Northern Ireland, who stay in second place in the group on four points after table toppers Poland defeated third-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-1 in Gdansk, started the match brightly.
A Maxwell cross into the area found Lauren Wade but she failed to connect with the ball properly.Romania forward Cristina Carp guided a header wide before another Maxwell cross was cleared as captain Simone Magill looked set to pounce.
A dangerous cross from Wade was cleared by the home defence. Wade took the resulting corner, which was initially punched clear by Romania keeper Andreea Paraluta. The ball dropped to Rebecca Holloway five yards out, but she scooped her shot over the top.
Northern Ireland took the lead in the 33rd minute. Megan Bell superbly threaded the ball through to Maxwell and she smashed it into the net from 14 yards.
Minutes later Wade produced another excellent delivery into the area. The ball bounced awkwardly in front of Paraluta who had to push it over the top for a corner.
Romania equalised against the run of play on 38 minutes. A long punt forward by defender Maria Ficzay evaded the Northern Ireland defence and striker Mihaela Ciolacu pounced to flick the ball past advancing keeper Jackie Burns into the net.
Just before the break a Burns clearance went straight to Carp, but she scuffed her shot and it drifted wide.
Early in the second half, Burns had to be on her toes to push away a wicked deep cross from Romanian midfielder Carmen Marcu.
A clever Maxwell back-flick inside the area was met by Joely Andrews, but the Romania keeper closed down the space and the midfielder was forced wide.
In the 65th minute substitute Connie Scofield fed the ball to Magill just inside the area, however the Northern Ireland skipper was quickly closed down by Ficzay and her low shot was clutched by Paraluta.
The game became a little scrappy with 20 minutes to go.Stefania Vatafu whipped a cross past the far post before Scofield’s rising snapshot was saved by the Romanian keeper.Ellie Mason then produced an important block to deny Vatafu as she found space inside the area.
Down the other end Northern Ireland substitute Kascie Weir delivered a decent cross into the area which went inches over the head of Magill.
There was a major let-off for Northern Ireland in the closing stages when Romanian goalscorer Ciolacu smashed the ball against the crossbar from 12 yards out. And deep into added time Ciolacu launched a free-kick onto the top of the net.
Next up for Northern Ireland is part two of the double header against Romania – on Tuesday (April 8) at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. That game has a 7pm start.
Romania: Andreea Paraluta, Teodora Nicoara, Erika Gered, Ana Maria Stanciu, Maria Ficzay, Florentina Olar (captain), Carmen Marcu, Ioana Bortan, Cristina Carp, Stefania Vatafu, Mihaela Ciolacu. Substitutes: (used) Olga Iordachiusi, Claudia Bistrian; (unused) Camelia Ceasar (GK), Reka Tanko (GK), Sonia Bumbar, Adina Borodi, Giorgiana Vasile, Andrea Herczeg, Anita Kis, Antonia Bratu, Anita Antal.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Ellie Mason, Rebecca Holloway, Rachel Dugdale, Brenna McPartlan, Danielle Maxwell, Megan Bell, Simone Magill (captain), Joely Andrews, Lauren Wade. Substitutes: (used) Caragh Hamilton, Connie Scofield, Kascie Weir, Natalie Johnson; (unused) Rachael Norney, Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Natalie Johnson, Aimee Kerr, Keri Halliday, Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel, Emily Wilson, Abi Sweetlove.
Rebecca McKenna was named EE Player of the Match
