Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.27 2022-23

Wales 4 (Fishlock 16, James 25, Cain 30, Rowe 64)
Northern Ireland 1 (Wade 73)
Wales ran out convincing 4-1 winners over an undercooked Northern Ireland side in front
of a record home crowd for a women’s friendly international at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The visitors had to soak up some early pressure, with Sarah McFadden in particular
making some important interventions, including a superb last ditch tackle to thwart Jessica
Fishlock. Northern Ireland goalkeeper Shannon Turner, who was making her debut,
showed some fancy footwork to clear the danger as Welsh winger Ceri Holland raced
towards goal.
Wales took the lead in the 16th minute. Rachel Rowe sped down the right and crossed
the ball into the area where Fishlock was on hand to knock the ball into the top corner.
A minute later, Rhiannon Roberts shot straight at Turner as Wales continued to press,
whilst a Hannah Cain toe poke was easily gathered by Turner.
Wales went two up in the 25th minute. Sophie Ingle clipped the ball over the Northern
Ireland defence to Fishlock and she fed Angharad James, who applied the close range finish.
A third goal for the home side quickly followed. This time Roberts supplied the cross
from the right flank and Cain guided the ball into the net from six yards out for her first
senior international goal.
Half of the Northern Ireland team are still in pre-season training ahead of this year’s
NIFL Women’s Premiership and it showed in the opening half hour, with the Welsh players
looking much sharper.
Northern Ireland had a couple of chances as the half wore on though. Captain Marissa
Callaghan had a drive blocked and McFadden curled a shot over the top.
After the interval, the visitors began to enjoy more possession and began to express
themselves. A Caragh Hamilton shot drifted wide of the upright and substitute Chloe
McCarron’s long range shot sailed over the top.
Rachel Rowe grabbed goal number four for Wales just after the hour mark. Turner
could only manage to get her fingertips to a cross from Holland and Rowe pounced to score
with a controlled finish.
On 73 minutes, Lauren Wade pulled a goal back with a superb finish. She robbed
Roberts down the left and slotted the ball into the bottom corner from an acute angle.
The game petered out after that and there was very little in the way of goalmouth
action, although Northern Ireland were competing much better across the pitch. Wade
launched a free kick just before the final whistle, however it was comfortably gathered in
by Welsh keeper Olivia Clark.
Wales will next be in action on Tuesday night, when they will play away to Portugal.
Wales: Olivia Clark, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd (sub Josie Green 68mins), Gemma
Evans, Esther Morgan (sub Ella Powell 77mins), Sophie Ingle (captain), Angharad
James, Jessica Fishlock (sub Megan Wynne 87mins), Rachel Rowe (sub Ffion Morgan
68mins), Ceri Holland, Hannah Cain (sub Elise Hughes 68mins). Subs not used: Laura
O’Sullivan, Safia Middleton-Patel, Chloe Williams, Georgia Walters, Charlie Estcourt,
Alice Griffiths, Anna Filbey.
Northern Ireland: Shannon Turner, Rebecca McKenna, Demi Vance (sub Rebecca
Holloway 45mins), Sarah McFadden, Kelsie Burrows (sub Laura Rafferty 78mins),
Nadene Caldwell, Caragh Hamilton, Marissa Callaghan (sub Rachel Furness 45mins),
Ellie Mason (sub Emily Wilson 65mins), Megan Bell (sub Chloe McCarron 45mins),
Lauren Wade. Subs not used: Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Lilie Woods, Caitlin McGuinness,
Kirsty McGuinness, Joely Andrews, Abbie Magee.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk