Page 26 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.27 2022-23

Hilton Harriers 1 Draycott Victoria 3 Radcliffe Olympic 1 Arnold Eagles Flyers 3

Burnham Utd P-P Combe St Nicholas
RBL Alphington 1 West Exe Park Rangers 6
Woodspring Women 8 Pen Mill Res 1
Flixton Juniors Lionesses 0 AFC Urmston Meadowside 4
Whitchurch Alport 1 Leek Town Res 0
Rushall Olympic 1 Newcastle Town 5
Millbrook Ladies 2 Havant & Waterlooville 3
Clanfield Women 0 Gosport Falcons 5 Brantham Athletic 4 Holland Ladies 4
(Brantham won 6-5 on penalties)
Woodbridge Town 2 Needham Market Development 1
Freethorpe P-P North Walsham Town
Lower Hopton 1 Farsley Celtic Women 1
(Farsley won 5-4 on penalties)
Yorkshire Amateur 5 Sherburn White Rose 2
Long Buckby 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 6
Dewsbury Rangers 2 Athletico FC Women 6
Moulton Ladies 2 Corby Town 1 Morley Town 2 Leeds Utd U21 0

Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s were promoted to League A for the WU17 Euro
competition in 2024 after defeating Turkiye (Turkey) in a winner-takes-all game. Northern
Ireland senior international player Julie Nelson was in charge of the WU17s for the game.
Northern Ireland settled quickly in warm conditions. The first clear cut chance, on 13
minutes, fell to Sophie Gargan, whose effort was blocked by Turkey keeperDefne Sarioglu. Two
minutes later, the keeper saved from Gargan once again.
Striker Kascie Weir missed the target as Northern Ireland continued to press the hosts, whose
first chance came from a direct free kick struck by Melisa Kurt which sailed wide. In added time
at the end of the first half a Rachel McIntyre strike was off target before Northern Ireland captain
Aimee Kerr was upended by the Turkey keeper and the ref quickly pointed to the spot. Kerr dusted
herself down to take the penalty, however she missed it.
Northern Ireland had a scare just after the break when Nihal Sarac smashed a free kick
against the woodwork, while keeper Ellie Scott had to block a Kurt effort.
The girls in green and white took the lead on 62 minutes. Gargan delivered a free-kick into the
area which was tucked home by Mia Moore.
Yaren Aydogdu wasted an opportunity for the Turks before Sarioglu saved a Kerr effort. In the
82nd minute, substitute Rhianna Breen forced the Turkish keeper into a decent save.
The resulting corner was taken by McIntyre and she scored directly from it. Sarioglu caught
her cross but it had already gone over the line.
Northern Ireland had chances to extend their lead – Breen shot wide and Weir had a couple
of opportunities – but they had to settle for a deserved 2-0 win in the end.
The draw for the WU17 Euro 2024 qualifiers, to be played this autumn and next spring, will
be held on 16 June. Northern Ireland will be competing in League A in the autumn thanks to this
victory.
Northern Ireland: Ellie Scott, Niamh O’Donnell, Abi Sweetlove, Sophie Keenan, Sophie
Gargan (sub Rhianna Breen 76mins), Darcie McNeill (sub Ellen McCartney 85mins), Aimee
Kerr, Olivia Canavan (sub Faye Loughran 32mins), Kascie Weir, Rachel McIntyre (sub
Maureen Quinn 85mins), Mia Moore (sub Erin Morrison 76mins). Subs not used: Cerys
Sharkey, Morgan Hanna, Rebecca Mann, Ciara McAleer. (irishfa.com)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk