Release Date: 10/03/2010

Author: By Conor Kelly

NORTHERN Ireland Women’s U19s kicked-off a friendly international double header against Scotland last night with a draw.

Scotland started the game very strongly, keeping the tempo high against Northern Ireland who, due to their domestic season ending last October, showed their lack of match practice with a shaky start and found themselves 2-0 with the end of the first half approaching.

The NI team soon began to find their stride, scoring just before the half-time whistle when a Kendra McMullan pass was lobbed over the keeper by Rachel Laverty to make it 2-1.

The 2^nd half saw a changed Northern Ireland side who rallied together early to provide the equaliser in the first five minutes. The goal coming from Lauran Wade who hammered the ball home from a cross.

The remainder of the half saw Northern Ireland in the driving seat, constantly threatening the goal but to no avail.

National Women's Coach Alfie Wylie, was proud of the team's effort; “The girls showed good character in this match. The have been out of domestic football for quite some time and were lacking the sharpness that comes with it. However, they showed their resolve in not lying back and taking defeat and have come away with a draw they can be proud of.

"The two strikers, Simone Magill and Rachel Laverty, never stopped causing problems in the second half and our back four looked more and more solid as the game went on.”

The NI Women’s U19 squad will be in action again against Scotland tomorrow (Thursday) at Wellington Rec., Larne at 12pm, as they continue their preparations for the U19s European Championship qualifying tournament in September.

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