NORTHERN Ireland’s Women’s Under-16s lost 4-2 to their Republic of Ireland counterparts in a Belfast friendly in which performances were a credit to both teams amid blustery conditions created by Storm Ashley.
Abbie Smyth and Maja Stachura were the NI scorers at Newforge.
Northern Ireland WU16s head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey had a 16-strong squad at her disposal, including defender Chloe Beckinsale, midfielders Charlotte Havern and Ruby Adair plus striker Ava Hurl, who all played for the WU17s in Euro qualifiers earlier this month.
The visitors, with the wind mainly at their backs, were in control during the first half and opened the scoring after seven minutes.
In the 16th minute, Northern Ireland keeper Sophie Glover pushed a firm strike away and defender Chloe Beckinsale cleared the loose ball off the line.
But the Republic kept pushing and extended their lead through a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Just before the break they made it 3-0. Northern Ireland failed to deal with a corner and the ball was tucked home from six yards.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 0-3 Republic of Ireland WU16s
Northern Ireland played much better in the second half and, shortly after the restart, Ava Hurl headed an effort just wide of the post.
After the visitors had grabbed a fourth on 55 minutes, substitute Maja Stachura had a shot blocked as the home side continued to push.
On 85 minutes, Emilee Leacock’s well-struck effort tested the Republic’s keeper, who pushed it around the post.
From the resulting corner, taken by Charlotte Havern, Abbie Smyth slotted home from six yards to make it 4-1.
A second goal for Northern Ireland soon arrived. Leacock played a lovely weighted pass through the middle to Stachura and she applied the finish.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 2-4 Republic of Ireland WU16s
Northern Ireland WU16s: Sophie Glover, Mirjana Karrabecaj, Daisy Moore, Chloe Beckinsale (captain), Lily-Brooke Wallace, Heidi Curran, Charlotte Havern, Ruby Adair, Ava Hurl, Abbie Smith, Emilee Leacock. Substitutes: Zara McAvoy (GK), Maja Stachura and Grace Campbell (all 45’), Grace McAllister and Grace Steele (both 80’).
Republic of Ireland WU16s: Sarah Doyle, Annabel Mulcaire Quille, Molly Kirwan, Sophie Clarke, Holly O’Hagan, Emma Mooney, Keelin Comiskey, Kassie McLoughlin, Ciara Milton, Madison McGuane, Alice Buggle. Substitutes: Lucy Doyle Farrington (GK), Caoimhe O’Brien, Hailey Twomey, Lara Dallaghan, Mia Murtagh, Eva Loftus, Sophie Byrne, Halle Harcourt, Mia Giff.
