Page 17 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.24 2022-23

Kidderminster Harriers won 2-0 at Lichfield City to stay second, just ahead of
Shrewsbury Town who defeated Solihull Sporting 2-1 thanks to Madison Jones and Alicia
Robinson. Lye Town follow on after beating Burton Albion 6-2, Sian Johnson netting twice
along with Joella Bate, Katie Priest, Sunya Salim and Hollie Ridge.
Shifnal Town got back to winning ways in Division One North, Rebecca-Lee Bown hitting
a hat-trick and Jenna Boddison the other as they defeated Lichfield City Res 4-0 to open up
a lead of four points. Despite goals from Natasha Baptiste and Rosie Hargreaves, second placed
Walsall Wood were held to a 2-2 draw by AFC Telford Utd whose scorers were Jemma
Smith and Tania Prior. Joanne Ryan and Georgia Furlong were on the scoresheet as Coventry
City won 2-1 against Darlaton Town to go third.
Coventry Sphinx are closing in on the Division One South title, moving closer as Milly
Miller (2) and Jodie McGuckin gave them a 3-0 win away to Leamington Lions. They now
lead by fifteen points from Knowle who were 6-2 victors at Bewdley Town thanks to a
Demi-Lee Rolph hat-trick, Jessica Barlow, Katherine Fleming and Camile Abbotts. Humera
Ashfaq netted four times and Tyler Miller the other to give Long Itchington a 5-1 win over
Kingfisher, which takes them up to third, whilst Worcester City Development defeated
Droitwich Spa 4-0.

Northern Ireland Women’s Under-16s have registered a win and a defeat so far at a UEFA
WU16 development tournament in Bulgaria. All the matches in the four-team mini tournament
are being staged at the Stadium Albena complex in the Black Sea resort of Albena.
First up for Stevie Graham’s team was a game against the Bulgarians on Tuesday. It ended
in a narrow 1-0 defeat, however Northern Ireland were the better team overall and should have
had more to show for their efforts.
The WU16s bounced back yesterday by defeating North Macedonia 2-1. They dominated
the game and only an inspired Macedonian keeper prevented them from inflicting a heavy
defeat on their opponents.
In game one Northern Ireland started slowly and were punished by the Bulgarians after
just five minutes. The hosts scored with a well struck free-kick from the edge of the area which
turned out to be the only goal of the game.
The WU16s then upped the tempo and both Eva Myles and Gracie Conway came close to
grabbing an equaliser as the first half wore on.
After the break Northern Ireland dominated, however they were unable to conjure up any
clearcut chances.
In yesterday’s encounter Sophie Kelly-Bradley got both goals. Her first, on 13 minutes, saw
her pick up the ball down the left, skip past her marker and fire the ball across the keeper into
the bottom corner.
North Macedonia equalised just a minute later through a long range shot, however Kelly-
Bradley restored Northern Ireland’s lead after 32 minutes. A Conway shot was blocked and the
ball fell to Jessica McGuinness who played it across the box to the back post where Kelly-
Bradley was on hand to tap it home.
Prior to the second goal Myles had a great effort from the edge of the area which went
inches wide, while after goal number two Mia Reilly’s rasping drive was well saved by the
Macedonia keeper and McGuinness hit the crossbar with a long range shot before the stopper
produced a superb save to keep out a McGuinness free-kick.
After the break Northern Ireland continued to play with a high intensity and had a flurry of
chances. McGuinness struck the bar twice and Conway also hit the crossbar. And in the closing
stages the Macedonia keeper made good saves from a couple of Erin Boyle strikes.
The final game for the WU16s in the development tournament is against Montenegro on
Sunday (8am start UK time).
(irishfa.com)
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