NORTHERN Ireland’s Women’s Under-16 development team completed their journey to Friday’s SuperCupNI Premier Cup final as they comfortably defeated tournament debutants Wolverhampton Wanderers Women 3-0.
Two goals from Jessica McGuinness and one from Sophie Hutchinson secured a final spot against Manchester United at at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on Friday (2.00pm).
Played at The Diamond, Rathcoole, head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey made five changes to the team that started the 5-3 win against Galway United Women in the WU16 development side’s second game in Group B.
Goalie Abbie Smith was back between the sticks, replacing Zara Maguire, while Lillie Horner, Caitlin Carlisle, Charlotte Havern and Ava Hurl were restored to the starting line-up after featuring in the first Group B game, a 5-1 victory over Athlone Town Ladies.
Also dropping to the bench this time were Caitie McGurnaghan, Maja Stachura, Tara Kerr and Sophie Pollock.
Northern Ireland started strongly, with striker Lucy Kelly going close on 10 minutes.
They took the lead five minutes later when captain Jessica McGuinness picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and fired it into the bottom corner.
Ava Hurl, Mia Reilly and Kelly all had chances before McGuinness grabbed her second in the 22nd minute. Again she netted with a shot from the edge of the area.
On the half-hour mark, Kelly played a superb cross-field pass to Reilly, who in turn found Hurl at the back post, and her effort went just wide.
On 32 minutes, Northern Ireland extended their lead. Sophie Hutchinson stepped up to take a free-kick just outside the box and rifled the ball home.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Women U16s 0
After the break, Northern Ireland continued to press. Reilly had a good opportunity after getting on the end of a Kelly free-kick, however the Wolves keeper managed to thwart it.
Wolves applied decent pressure around the 55-minute mark. A fine strike went just wide before Northern Ireland keeper Abbie Smith smothered another good effort.
There were few clear cut chances after that and McDowell Tuffey’s side ran out deserved winners.
Northern Ireland topped Group B with three wins out of three, while final opponents Manchester United finished first in Group A following two wins and a draw.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Women U16s 0
Northern Ireland: Abbbie Smith, Lillie Horner, Chloe Beckinsale, Sophie Hutchinson, Caitlin Carlisle, Niamh Hassan, Charlotte Havern, Jessica McGuinness (captain), Lucy Kelly, Ava Hurl, Mia Reilly.
Substitutes: (used) Maja Stachura, Caitie McGurnaghan, Natnicha Mills, Tara Kerr, Sophie Pollock; (unused) Zara Maguire, Kayli-Ann Clayton.
Two-goal Jessica McGuinness (10)
