NORTHERN Ireland's Under 19 Women missed out on the Elite Round of the UEFA WU19 Championships after they suffered a narrow defeat today against the Ukraine in the Arkadija Stadium in Riga.
Alfie Wylie's team fought hard against robust opposition and the elements before succumbing to a late goal which means that their last Group Match, against hosts Latvia on Thursday, will decide only the third place.
The match was played on an excellent pitch, but a swirling wind and frequent squally showers, as well as a no-nonsense approach from the Ukraine team, made things difficult.
Northern Ireland had an early chance when Rebekah McMullan's shot was pushed away by Ukraine goalkeeper Grygorovych, and Kozyrenko and Malaokova both forced Jackie Burns in the Northern Ireland goal to move smartly to save.
The opening goal came in the nineteenth minute when Kozyrenko finished off a slick passing movement to beat Burns from close range.
Northern Ireland replied within a minute. Moya Feehan wriggled clear of a couple of tackles before being upended in the penalty box, and she picked herself up to score confidently from the resultant spot-kick.
Half time: Ukraine 1 – 1 Northern Ireland
The second half was a similarly tense affair until the Ukrainians broke the deadlock in the seventy-third minute. A Northern Ireland corner was cleared downfield and resulted in a corner for Ukraine. The ball was driven high into the Northern Ireland box, the defence took three attempts to clear, before Malakova, helped by the wind, managed a looping header into the net.
Northern Ireland attacked for most of the remainder of the match, with good pressure from Feehan, Lauren Brennan and Amy McGivern, whose powerful drive a foot over the bar in stoppage time was as close as they came to troubling the goalkeeper, and the Ukrainians held out to secure their place in the next round where they will be joined by Switzerland.
Final score: Ukraine 2 – 1 Northern Ireland
Team: Jessica Burns, Clara Connor, Jessica Foy, Alana McShane, Jennifer McDade, Rebekah McMullan, Amy McGivern, Moya Feehan, Laura Rafferty, Jessica Moorehead, Shannon Dunne. Substitutes: Lauren Brennan (for McMullan, 78 minutes), Nicole Adams, Catherine Sheridan, Rachel Newborough, Rebecca Holloway, Kathryn Dane, Kathy Rees
Roy Cathcart
http://irishfa.com/news/item/8577/northern-ireland-under-19-women-fall-to-late-ukrainian-goal/
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