Northern Ireland Women’s Under-15s defeated Romania WU15s by three goals to two in their first game at a UEFA development tournament in Malta. Striker Ella Kitson grabbed all three goals for Northern Ireland.
Competition
UEFA WU15s Development Tournament
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU15s 3-2 Romania WU15s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Ella Kitson (three)
Venue
Centenary Stadium, Ta’Qali
Date
16 September 2025
Team News
The Northern Ireland WU15s are playing against their counterparts from Romania, Malta and Lithuania in the UEFA development tournament, with the Centenary Stadium at Ta’Qali in central Malta hosting all the matches.
WU15s head coach Stephen Graham has chosen a 20-strong squad for the tournament. He is being assisted by Heather Mearns and Jack Little.
How it happened
Shortly after kick-off Connie Harper forced a good save out of Romanian keeper Ioana Nicoara with a well struck free-kick from distance.
Northern Ireland captain Darcy Grayson blocked an effort from the Romanians before an Aoife Conlon cross was met by Emilie Sylvester at the back post, however her effort was just off target.
Ella Kitson had a one-on-one with Nicoara, with the keeper coming out on top, while Northern Ireland keeper Ifeoma Agoha tipped a shot over the bar.
Nicoara saved from Kitson once again, however on 36 minutes Kitson latched on to a pass from Leah Hepburn and she curled the ball home to make it 1-0.
Five minutes later Kitson got her second of the game. The striker got on the end of a Gracey Livingston free-kick and guided the ball into the back of the net.
But Northern Ireland conceded just before the break when a Romanian forward finished well.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU15s 2-1 Romania WU15s
Just after the restart Kitson completed her hat-trick. She closed down a loose pass and got to the ball ahead of the keeper before applying the finish.
Agoha produced another good stop as Romania tried to claw their way back into the game.
Both teams enjoyed good possession but could not find a way through. Livingston and substitute Eva Dunlop in particular defended well for Northern Ireland.
On the stroke of full-time the Romanians did pull a goal back thanks to an excellent strike from distance.
Next up for the Northern Ireland WU15s is a game against hosts Malta on Thursday (18 September) at 1.30pm CEST (12.30pm BST).
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU15s 3-2 Romania WU15s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Ifeoma Agoha, Molly Gray, Gracey Livingston, Darcy Grayson (captain), Sophia Gill, Connie Harper, Leah Hepburn, Zion Donnan, Aoife Conlon, Emilie Sylvester, Ella Kitson.
Substitutes: Grace Greenhill (GK), Katie McKenna, Eva Dunlop, Lara Longridge, Lauren Kirkpatrick, Cara McVeigh, Anna Dunlop, Sophie Nelson, Lydia Devlin.
Romania: Ioana Nicoara, Cristiana Craciunas, Sofia Briciu, Johanna Zvenyak, Stefania Baidoc, Elena Girlea, Riana Palco, Elena Trandafir (captain), Marina Mauna, Ines Briciu, Lilla Elekes.
Substitutes: Ariana Melcea (GK), Oana Mihart, Daria Moldovan, Ingrid Pap Ieney, Madalina Munteanu, Ana Velicu, Rebeca Sandu, Georgiana Tanase, Roxana Partenie.
