The Northern Ireland side showed great character and team spirit, after two defeats two days in a row, we came out positively dominating possession and creating a lot of chances, one of which Katelyn McKane capitalised on in the twentieth minute making it one nil to Northern Ireland. The ball was then knocked into the N Ireland 18 yard box, there was a bit of a scramble which resulted in a welsh player falling to the ground. The referee then signalled for a penalty which we thought was very harsh, the Welsh striker struck the ball into the back of the net, making the score one all.
The Northern Ireland side bounced back after the restart forcing a corner from the Welsh side. Caragh Milligan stepped up to take the corner and produced a fantastic delivery into the penalty area, which saw the Northern Ireland captain Aoife Currin rise above everyone else and head the ball into the Welsh net, making the score two goals to one for Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland side continued to press and create chances only to be denied by the Welsh goalkeeper. Half time Northern Ireland 2 Wales 1.
Both sides started the second half positively creating chances, none of which either side could convert. Wales then broke down the right wing and crossed the ball into the box, which unfortunately struck an N Ireland defender’s arm. The referee blew the whistle and signalled for a penalty to Wales, this frustrated the N Ireland players. The Welsh striker struck the penalty and the N Ireland goalkeeper Grace Quinn pulled of a magnificent save putting the smiles back on the N Ireland faces knowing justice had been done. Wales kept pressurizing but the N Ireland defence kept them at bay, which saw the N Ireland side get there first victory in the competition.
Full time score Northern Ireland 2 Wales 1
Player of the match for Northern Ireland Caragh Milligan
