Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-16 team battled hard against a strong and physical Ghana side in their second game in a UEFA development tournament in Malta.
Competition
UEFA WU16 Development Tournament
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU16s 0-5 Ghana WU16s
Venue
Centenary Stadium, Ta’Qali
Date
6 March 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland are facing Latvia, Ghana and Malta in a four-team mini tournament in Malta this week.
For game two WU16s head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey made five changes to the team that started the 3-1 win against Latvia in Northern Ireland’s opening match.
Sophie Glover replaced Madison Bell in nets, while Daisy Moore, Grace McAllister, Aoife Gargan and Ruby Adair also came in to the starting 11. Grace Campbell, Charlotte Flanagan, Abbie Smyth and Ava Hurl dropped to the bench.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started brightly against tough opponents.
A Grace McAllister shot from outside the penalty area was just off target. Then Ruby Adair was played through by Emilee Leacock and her effort went past the post.
Sophie Glover produced a good save on 12 minutes but three minutes later Ghana’s Pricila Mensah dribbled past a couple of defenders before slotting the ball home for the opener.
Charlotte Havern fired over the top before Mensah got her second goal of the game in the 26th minute.
Holly Hilton, Aoife Gargan and Leacock combined well to tee up Havern, however her shot was well saved by the Ghana keeper.
Just before the interval Glover did well to push out a rasping drive, but Christiana Ahiaku was on hand to tuck home the rebound.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 0-3 Ghana WU16s
Substitute keeper Zara McAvoy made a fine save just after the interval as Ghana pushed forward.
On 52 minutes Ghana increased their lead when captain Seidatu Wahab scored with a drive from just outside the area.
Northern Ireland kept battling hard. Team captain Chloe Beckinsale fired in a cross which was controlled superbly by Aoife Gargan who was unlucky to see her crisp strike go inches over the bar.
In the 86th minute Ghana got their fifth. Substitute Daniella Abass slotted home a penalty.
Northern Ireland kept going though and just before the final whistle the Ghanaians’ keeper saved a powerful Abbie Smyth shot, which the substitute struck from outside the area.
The WU16s’ final game in the tournament is against hosts Malta at Ta’Qali on Sunday (9 March).
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 0-5 Ghana WU16s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland WU16s: Sophie Glover, Daisy Moore, Chloe Beckinsale (captain), Lily-Brooke Wallace, Holly Hilton, Charlotte Havern, Heidi Curran, Emilee Leacock, Ruby Adair, Aoife Gargan, Grace McAllister.
Substitutes: Madison Bell (GK), Zara McAvoy (GK), Maja Stachura, Abbie Smyth, Ava Hurl, Grace Campbell, Charlotte Flanagan, Lauren Morrison, Mirjana Karrabecaj.
Ghana WU16s: Belinda Kpentey, Abubakari Napari, Juliana Gyekyewaa, Pricila Mensah, Rafia Osman, Latifa Musah, Jessica Asamoah, Seidatu Wahab (captain), Sarafina Essenam, Mavis Koah, Christiana Ahiaku.
Substitutes: Aminatu Abdulai (GK), Janet Amewudo, Zenarb Shani, Sikinatu Amadu, Gloria Ameaa, Daniella Abass, Zulaiha Sulemana, Ajara Adam.
