SCOTLAND 3 --- NORTHERN IRELAND 1

 

Scotland Women's Victory over Northern Ireland

The evening’s proceedings began with Chief Executive Gordon Smith making a presentation to Ifeoma Dieke, who was reaching her 50th International cap. The defender who plays in the USA’s Professional Women’s League with Chicago Red Stars returned home to help Scotland to a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland.

Two goals from Pauline Hamill followed by a Joelle Murray strike won the game for Scotland after they went 1-0 down in the first half. 

Scotland took control of the game in terms of possession early on and created a number of chances.

On 12-minutes Megan Sneddon fired a dangerous free-kick from wide on the left which was very nearly converted by Rachael Corsie, but the keeper saved well. Minutes later Suzanne Grant came closer with an overhead kick. Kim Little showed her strength and quick feet to beat three players and deliver to the front-post. Hamill’s flick-on was met by the acrobatics of Grant, but the ball cleared the cross-bar.

While Scotland continued to look for that final pass to open up a sturdy Irish defence, they were almost caught on the break.  Rachael Furness fired a warning shot from 35-yards that missed the target by inches. But despite a further 10-minutes of solid Scotland possession, the same player struck again from distance and this time found her mark. Furness sent an unstoppable shot sailing past Faye and into the net.  

A stramash in the box late in the half presented a number of opportunities for an equaliser, but Joelle Murray eventually blasted over.

The second half continued with the home side dominating possession but they were now getting in behind the Irish and making it count.

Pauline Hamill grabbed the equaliser with a fine first-time finish from a driven cross. The prolific striker then continued her top International form to hit her side ahead. Hollie Thomson, on as a substitute, hit a perfectly weighted ball in behind the Irish defence which Hamill latched onto and lifted over the onrushing keeper. And, within minutes Joelle Murray put the game beyond doubt, coolly finishing a Diana Barry cut back.

Manager Anna Signeul was delighted with the result and the progress of some of her young stars.

“I still think we have a confidence problem whenever we go a goal down,” she said. “Whenever we are playing well but lose the first goal we really struggle to pick ourselves up. “But we had a chat at half time and told them to put balls in behind the Irish and that seemed to work because instantly we looked far more dangerous.”

“Once we scored one it could have been five or six and I think we played a lot better.”

“I think in the first half Ifeoma Dieke showed why she is the best player on the park as her calmness and touch at the back really settled things down. Then in the second half players like Rachael Corsie really came into their own.

“We have four more friendlies before the World Cup Qualifiers begin so I am happy with our progress."

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SIGNEUL ANNOUNCES SQUAD TO TAKE ON NORTHERN IRELAND

Thursday, 07 May 2009

Anna Signeul has announced her squad who will take on Northern Ireland next Tuesday 12 May at Forthbank Stadium, Stirling, kick-off 6.15pm.

It is their second friendly match of the year and is vital preparation for the World Cup Qualifying campaign that starts for Scotland in October against Greece.

Goalkeepers

Gemma Fay  Hibernian L.F.C.
Laura Williamson - Glasgow City
 
Defenders

Jennifer Beattie Celtic L.F.C.
Frankie Brown  Hibernian L.F.C.
Rachel Corsie  Glasgow City L.F.C.
Julie Ferguson  Celtic L.F.C.
Joelle Murray  Hibernian L.F.C.
Rhonda Jones  Hibernian L.F.C.
Hollie Thomson  Hibernian L.F.C.
Amy McDonald  F.C. Kilmarnock
Ifeoma Deike  Chicago Red Stars W.F.C.
 

Midfield

Megan Sneddon  Glasgow City F.C.
Kirsty McBride  Hibernian L.F.C.
Kim Little  Arsenal L.F.C.
Joanne Love  Celtic L.F.C.
Leanne Ross  Glasgow City L.F.C.
Natalie Ross  Arsenal L.F.C.
 

Forwards

Suzanne Grant  Arsenal L.F.C.
Pauline Hamill  Celtic L.F.C.
Diana Barry  Spartans

 

Northern Ireland Manager Alfie Wylie is excited about the up and coming game. "This is a great opportunity to bring the squad together and we are very much looking forward to this game."

The Northern Ireland squad is as follows;

GOALKEEPERS
Emma Higgins - Leeds Carnegie
Tiarna McKenna - Cliftonville

DEFENDERS
Laura Gillespie - Manchester City
Julie Nelson - Crusaders Newtonabbey Strikers
Ashley Hutton - Leeds Carnegie
Kelly Bailie - Glentoran Belfast Utd

MIDFIELDERS
Nadene Caldwell - Glentoran Belfast Utd
Makayla Mulholland - Glentoran Belfast Utd
Roisin Havelin - Ballymena Utd All Stars
Rachel Furness - Newcastle United
Catherine O’Hagan - Glentoran BU
Demi Vance - Glentoran Belfast Utd

FORWARDS
Clare Carson - Crusaders Newtonabbey Strikers
Lauren Wade - Coleraine Ladies
Avilla Bergin - Drumahoe YMCA
Trudi Harbinson - Havent & Waterlooville