Despite being down to 10 players for half the game, Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s produced a fine display in defeating Georgia in a Euro qualifier staged in North Macedonia.
Competition
WU17 Euro 2026 Round Two Qualifiers
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU17s 3-1 Georgia WU17s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Abbie Smyth (6’, 73’), Emilee Leacock (47’)
Georgia: Elene Bolkvadze (19’)
Venue
Stadium Kukus, Strumica
Date
3 March 2026
Team News
WU17s boss Gail Redmond made two changes to the team that started the 4-1 win over Luxembourg in Northern Ireland’s opening game in stage two of the qualifiers for UEFA Women’s U17 Euro.
Goalkeeper Sophie Glover came in to the starting line-up along with defender Grace Campbell. They replaced keeper Ifeoma Agoha and midfielder Mirjana Karrabecaj.
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s are currently competing in Euro qualifiers despite being assured of a place in this year’s WU17 Euros by virtue of being hosts (3-16 May in Coleraine, Larne and Belfast).
How it happened
Northern Ireland started strongly and opened the scoring after just six minutes. Maja Stachura found Emilee Leacock down the right channel and she sped forward before laying the ball on a plate for Abbie Smyth who confidently slammed it into the net.
Heidi Curran scooped an effort wide before Georgia equalised in the 19th minute. Captain Elene Bolkvadze lofted the ball over Northern Ireland keeper Sophie Glover from the edge of the area.
On 24 minutes Glover made a fine stop from an Ana Dolishvili effort before Georgian keeper Tiniko Jaiani did well to keep out a Charlotte Havern strike from outside the area.
Northern Ireland were reduced to 10 players just before the break when Havern picked up a second yellow card and was given her marching orders.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 1-1 Georgia WU17s
Despite being a player down, Northern Ireland turned on the style after the interval.
They took the lead two minutes into the second half. This time Smyth turned provider. She found Leacock inside the area and she slipped past her marker before slotting the ball past the keeper. It was a lovely finish.
Jaiani then saved another Leacock attempt on goal before Smyth had an effort blocked.
But Smyth got on the scoresheet again in the 73rd minute. A punt downfield by Glover was headed towards her own goal by a Georgian midfielder. The alert Smyth ran on to the loose ball and superbly lobbed it past the advancing keeper into the net. It was another sweet finish.
Northern Ireland almost grabbed a fourth on 80 minutes. Substitute Annarose Robinson produced a fine on-target strike but Jaiani managed to save it.
Next up for Redmond’s team is a top of the table clash against North Macedonia, who have also won their two group games to date. Northern Ireland have a superior goal difference so they only need a draw to be promoted to League A for stage one of the next edition of the competition.
The game against the League B Group 2 mini tournament hosts is being played on Friday (6 March) at the Goran Pandev Training Complex in Strumica. Kick-off time is 12pm GMT.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 3-1 Georgia WU17s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Sophie Glover, Daisy Moore, Holly Hilton, Chloe Beckinsale (captain), Sara Devany, Grace Campbell, Emilee Leacock, Charlotte Havern, Maja Stachura, Abbie Smyth, Heidi Curran.
Substitutes: (used) Mirjana Karrabecaj, Annarose Robinson, Leah Hepburn; (unused) Ifeoma Agoha, Ellie McGarrigle, Zion Donnan, Ava Hurl, Grace Guest, Grace Steele.
Georgia: Tiniko Jaiani, Anna Bolotashvili, Ani Davituliani, Elene Bolkvadze (captain), Nini Vekua, Tamar Maruashvili, Lizi Kakulia, Ana Dolishvili, Tekla Beridze, Niniko Chketiani, Anastasia Buchukuri.
Substitutes: (used) Barbare Managadze, Ana Grigalashvili, Sesili Maskharashvili; (unused) Elen Bondareva (GK), Nino Nadaraia, Mariami Jojua, Ani Goderidze.
