Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17 team drew 2-2 with Greece’s WU17s in the second of their friendly double header in Ballyclare. Northern Ireland won the first game 2-1.
Manager Gail Redmond made four changes to her team from the opening game.
In came keeper Zara Maguire along with defenders Caitlin Carlisle and Lillie Horner plus attacker Ruby Adair.
Keeper Abbie Smith, Niamh Hassan, Sophie Hutchinson and Mia Reilly dropped to the bench for this one.
The two game are a key part of preparations for WU17 Euro 2025 qualifiers (stage one) next month when the WU17s will be competing in League A.
Just like the first game at the home of Ballyclare Comrades, Northern Ireland started strongly, and they took the lead on seven minutes. Lucy Kelly fired in a free-kick which the Greek keeper fumbled and captain Jessica McGuinness pounced on the loose ball to tuck it home.
Kelly tested the keeper again with another free-kick before Northern Ireland went two up on 21 minutes. McGuinness delivered the free-kick this time. It was met by Chloe Beckinsale and she hit the back of the net with a crisp shot.
Northern Ireland continued to push forward but the Greek defence held firm.
As half-time approached the ball fell nicely to Greece’s Valeria Koutsouri inside the area, but she steered her effort wide.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 2 Greece WU17s 0
After the break Greece were on the front foot. Kriseltna Cela tested Northern Ireland keeper Zara Maguire from a free-kick but she was equal to it.
On 60 minutes Greece pulled a goal back. After a flowing move Ioli Stavropoulou neatly slotted the ball into the net.
The Greeks drew level shortly after when substitute Georgia Moschona rounded the keeper and slammed the ball home.
On 75 minutes a McGuinness strike cannoned off the bar, while substitute Mia Reilly steered a shot inches wide.
And Northern Ireland hit the woodwork again when Charlotte Havern let fly from distance.
Havern tested the keeper once more in the closing stages, while the Greeks also went close.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 2 Greece WU17s 2
Northern Ireland: Zara Maguire, Caitlin Carlisle, Chloe Beckinsale, Sophie Pollock, Lillie Horner, Mirjana Karrabecaj, Charlotte Havern, Jessica McGuinness (captain), Lucy Kelly, Ava Hurl, Ruby Adair.
Substitutes: (used) Ellen McDermott, Catie McGurnaghan, Kayli-Ann Clayton, Tara Kerr, Niamh Hassan, Mia Reilly, Sophie Hutchinson; (unused) Abbie Smith, Olivia Campbell, Natnicha Mills, Lilly Jeffery.
Greece WU17s: Dimitra Teneketzi, Olga Iakovidou, Anna Konstantinidou, Ioanna Bataoula, Maria Gkizari, Niki Malamousi (captain), Valeria Koutsouri, Kriseltna Cela, Ioli Stavropoulou, Myrto Kolempa, Viktoria Krystalli.
Substitutes: Argyri Asproudi, Maryam Melissanidis, Tzoana Rakipi, Christina Triantafyllopoulou, Stavroula Ntorli, Georgia Vlachonikoli, Margarita Mara, Anastasia Eirini Askaridou, Myrto Styliani Axiarli, Georgia Moschona, Apostolia Bartzou, Drosoula Lampropoulou, Christina Kyranoudi.
NI starting 11 for 2-2 draw with Greece
