Having lost the first match on Sunday, Alison Nicholl’s young side bounced back well to earn a deserved draw in Jordanstown.
The Irish FA say that Nicholl again fielded a less experienced team than their Scottish counterparts, who are using the fixtures as preparation for the Elite Round of the UEFA U-17 Championship. The Northern Ireland team featured a number of 2001 and 2002 players who have gained a wealth of experience of playing at higher level.
Scotland took the lead in the first half as a deflected effort from Elena Santoyo-Brown made its way past Lauren Perry.
Northern Ireland started the second half the stronger side and brought the scores level after 5 minutes as Kelsie Burrows finished well from a corner to make it 1-1.
The home side pushed on and took the lead shortly after their equaliser. Midfielder Megan Bell went on a superb solo run through the Scotland defence and finished neatly past the keeper into the bottom corner.
The visitors had the opportunity to level the scores as the referee awarded a penalty but Perry pulled off a fine save to keep her side in front.
The away side were awarded another penalty in the closing stages of the match and Michaela McAlonie converted it.
Nicholl was quick to praise her team’s dominant performance following the result.
“The team produced a great display today. I’m pleased with the result, and it was great to see such a young team dominate the game against more experienced opposition.
“The girls showed great character in the second half to come from a goal behind, I think were unlucky not to win in the end with the way we played.”
Photo – irishfa.com
