Photo by: Darren Kidd
Indeed, Alfie Wylie’s side will be frustrated at not claiming victory after enjoying the majority of possession and creating twice as many scoring opportunities as their Balkan visitors.
Northern Ireland got off to a sizzling start with Rachel Furness, Julie Nelson and Kimberley Turner all creating chances within the opening quarter-of-an-hour while Sarah McFadden was twice denied by Serbian ‘keeper Ljiljana Gardijan.
It proved to be a busy evening for Gardijan who was also called into action to keep out further efforts from Furness and Alison Smyth before half-time.
Early in the second half Furness just failed to find the target after connecting with a Nelson free-kick before Makyla Mulholland offered yet another attempt on 53 minutes.
Home ‘keeper Emma Higgins was barely troubled throughout until Milica Mijatovic tested her with 15 minutes remaining as the visitors put together a bit of a flourish towards the end.
Northern Ireland continue their campaign on July 24th when Estonia visit Coleraine, kick-off 3pm.
Northern Ireland: Higgins, Mulholland, Bailie, Caldwell, Nelson, Hutton, Smyth, Turner, McFadden, Furness, Vance subs Fagan (not used), Archibald (not used), McMullan (not used), Corry (not used), McDowell (replaced McFadden 83), McKenna (replaced Caldwell 90+10), Magill (replaced Smyth 73)
Photo by: Darren Kidd / Press Eye
Photo by: Darren Kidd
Source: Irish FA
