Northern Ireland came away from Opava with a 2-0 friendly victory over a Czechia team nearly 20 places higher than them in the FIFA/Coca Cola women’s world rankings.
Interim manager Gail Redmond made five changes from the 11 that began the 3-0 defeat to Scotland last week, among them was 19-year-old Mid-Ulster goalkeeper Lilie Woods making her senior debut, reports irishfa.com.
And her new-look side did not let her down as they produced a polished performance brimming with energy in front of 777 fans in balmy conditions.
Woods pushed out a drive from Kamila Dubcova and Lucie Jelinkova headed inches over the top from a corner, before Northern Ireland took the lead from a Demi Vance corner to the back post, where Sarah McFadden was on hand to head home.
Marissa Callaghan’s well-struck snapshot from an angle was pushed away by Votikova and Megan Bell’s free-kick across the face of goal could not find a finishing touch, while McFadden superbly blocked a Franny Cerna shot deep inside the area as half-time approached.
Czechia introduced AC Milan striker Andrea Staskova and Chelsea midfielder Katerina Svitkova at half-time but Northern Ireland stunned the hosts by grabbing a second on 47 minutes.
Caragh Hamilton played in substitute Kerry Beattie, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Nadene Caldwell blasted a shot over the bar and Player of the match Callaghan clipped the ball to the back post for Bell, whose close-range volley was pushed away by Votikova.
Woods and McFadden combined to block a goal-bound Czech effort, with Hamilton later seeing her shot pushed over the bar.
Deep into added time another 19-year-old Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Rachael Norney, made her senior debut from the bench.
The victory will provide a huge confidence boost for Northern Ireland ahead of their first UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign this autumn.
