Pictures by EPHY McCONNELL
Runners-up Northern Ireland
NORTHERN Ireland’s Women’s Under-16 development team were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Manchester United Women in the SuperCupNI Girls’ U16 Premier Cup final at Dixon Park, Ballyclare.
Northern Ireland scorer Jessica McGuinness had the consolation of being named Player of the Tournament and top scorer.
Head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey made just two changes to the team that started the 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers Women in the WU16 development side’s third and final game in Group B.
Lillie Horner and Ava Hurl made way for Sophie Pollock and Tara Kerr as the Group B winners met the Group A winners in the U16 girls’ competition decider at the international youth football tournament.
Northern Ireland keeper Abbie Smith saved well from Manchester United’s Sienna Limbert in the opening exchanges before United keeper Evie Mitchell saved a goal-bound Niamh Hassan strike.
A fine Mia Reilly delivery just evaded Northern Ireland captain Jessica McGuinness and down the other end Chloe Beckinsale headed clear.Manchester United opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Pixie Bradley lost her marker inside the area and applied the finish.
Lucy Kelly fired over the top before Northern Ireland equalised in the 29th minute. Following good work by Charlotte Havern and Kelly, the ball fell to McGuinness and she slotted it home.
In the 31st minute Smith made an excellent save to keep the scores level.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 1 Manchester United Women U16s 1
Just after the break Smith was called into action again and she made another good stop.
However, the Northern Ireland keeper could not keep out a fine hit from Manchester United substitute Ellen Marsh which flew into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 to United.
On 48 minutes McGuinness stepped up to take a free-kick 30 yards out and was unlucky to see her blaster come back off the crossbar.
Three minutes later Sophie Pollock won the ball backthe ball back and slipped it to Kelly who in turn found McGuinness – and her rasping shot went inches wide.
Smith produced an excellent reaction save before Kelly’s crisp shot was pushed away by Mitchell at the other end.
By that stage Manchester United had done enough to win the Cup.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 1 Manchester United Women U16s 2
Northern Ireland WU16s: Abbie Smith, Chloe Beckinsale, Sophie Hutchinson, Caitlin Carlisle, Sophie Pollock, Tara Kerr, Niamh Hassan, Charlotte Havern, Lucy Kelly, Jessica McGuinness (captain), Mia Reilly. Substitutes: (used) Maja Stachura, Lillie Horner, Ava Hurl, Kayli-Ann Clayton; (unused) Zara Maguire, Caitie McGurnaghan, Natnicha Mills.
Manchester United Women U16s: Evie Mitchell, Poppy Holt, Holly Wilson, Pixie Bradley, Emma Smith, Jessica Mwachukwu, Dixie Thirde, Tia Brookes, Jessica Anderson, Sienna Limbert, Holly Minshull. Substitutes: Poppy Lyons-Walker (GK), Lucy Robinson, Niamh Donelan, Ellen Marsh, Casey Leigh-Lamb, Layla Grey, Ebony Wilkinson.
Packed Dixon Park
