Page 30 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2021-22

Northern Ireland’s happy return

Northern Ireland 4 (McDaniel 48, K.McGuinness 64, Callaghan 78,
Furness pen 82)
Latvia 0
The Northern Ireland senior women’s team marked their return to the National Football Stadium at
Windsor Park with a scintillating victory. They had not played at the stadium for nine years – but they
looked at home when registering a 4-0 win for the second game running.
Shiels made four changes to the team that started against Luxembourg in Larne. Demi Vance,
Laura Rafferty, McDaniel and Kerry Beattie came in for Rebecca McKenna, Julie Nelson, Rebecca
Holloway and Emily Wilson.
Kirsty McGuinness, who was given the captain’s armband for the night as she won her 50th cap
for Northern Ireland, was immediately on the front foot, running at the Latvian defence.
In the early stages Sarah McFadden headed over the top, while Lauren Wade’s shot from
distance flew above the bar, too. Latvia attacker Olga Sevcova, who was looking dangerous down the
left, broke clear on 17 minutes and Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns produced a fine stop from
her low drive.
Wade, who was producing some great runs down the right, fired in a series of crosses which
were blocked by the visitors’ defence. A lofted McGuinness delivery from a free kick was fumbled by
the Latvia keeper but her defence cleared the danger. McDaniel scooped a shot over the top before
Wade fired another shot above the bar. On 35 minutes, McFadden met a McGuinness cross and her
looping header hit the top of the bar.
The Latvians, who had not managed either a win or a draw in their previous eight games across
2020 and 2021, were put under constant pressure as half time approached. Chloe McCarron, who was
making things tick, fired a shot over and Furness let fly from distance, however her effort drifted well
wide of the target.
The temporary skipper fed regular captain Callaghan just after the restart but her shot slid wide
of the upright. Minutes later Northern Ireland took the lead. Callaghan had a shot blocked but the
rebound fell to McDaniel and she drilled the ball into the top corner. It was her first goal at senior
international level.
McGuinness, sent clear by Furness, fired a shot straight at the keeper, while Wade headed
another Furness delivery on to the top of the net. Then Wade’s low shot was pushed around the post
by Latvia keeper Enija-Anna Vaivode before Callaghan’s speculative effort sailed over the bar.
On 65 minutes, McGuinness grabbed Northern Ireland’s second with a lovely finish. She was
played in by Callaghan and drew the keeper before firing a shot low into the far corner. It was a great
way to mark her 50-cap milestone.
A neat cross from substitute Rebecca McKenna was headed over by Furness, who shot straight
at the keeper minutes later. Substitute Caragh Milligan set off on a couple of lung-busting runs but her
tantalising crosses into the area were cleared.
Northern Ireland made it three on 78 minutes when Vance’s superb cross from the left was
chested home by Callaghan from close range.
The girls in green and white made it 4-0 four minutes later from the spot. The penalty, awarded
when Latvia midfielder Karline Miksone handled a Callaghan drive, was hammered into the net by
Furness.
Callaghan forced a fine save out of the Latvian keeper in added time but by that stage the three
points had been well and truly secured.
Northern Ireland: Jacqueline Burns, Demi Vance, Sarah McFadden, Laura Rafferty (sub Kelsie
Burrows 83mins), Louise McDaniel, Chloe McCarron, Marissa Callaghan, Lauren Wade (sub
Caragh Milligan 71mins), Rachel Furness (sub Ciara Watling 84mins), Kirsty McGuinness (sub
Danielle Maxwell 84mins), Kerry Beattie (sub Rebecca McKenna 61mins). Subs not used: Becky
Flaherty, Maddison Harvey-Clifford, Julie Nelson, Rebecca Holloway, Caitlin McGuinness, Nadene
Caldwell, Emily Wilson.
Latvia: Enija-Anna Vaivode, Ligita Tumane (sub Kristine Girzda 90mins), Arta Luize Lubina (sub
Sofija Garanca 90mins), Viktorija Zaicikova, Signija Senberga (sub Anna Valaka 63mins),
Anastasija Rocane, Renate Fedotova (sub Tatjana Baliceva 52mins), Sandra Voltane (sub Nikola
Brahmane 90mins), Olga Sevcova, Karlina Miksone, Sofija Gergeleziu. Subs not used: Alina
Skiemenova, Laura Sinutkina, Kristine Evelina Lodzina, Selga Vitmore, Laura Sondore, Evelina
Freidenfelde, Juta Buklovska.
(www.irishfa.com)
Issue no. 4 - 23 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk