Author: Natalie McCullough
Photos: Gary Hancock
In terms of goals, it has been a quiet campaign for Alfie Wylie’s side; however, the home fans were given a treat at the weekend.
Within the opening quarter, Ashley Hutton, Demi Vance and Julie Nelson all had chances on goal, putting some early pressure on the visitors. They maintained this throughout the first half, enjoying the majority of possession and quashing attempts by Estonia, to move forward.
The blistering pace of Demi Vance and Kimberly Turner along the wings, coupled with a solid backline, made it difficult for the visitors. Their first realistic shot on target came late in the second half with a strike from Aljona Sasova, but this was well read by goalkeeper, Emma Higgins.
Northern Ireland continued to dominate the game in the second half and were unlucky not to score, after a great chance for Sarah McFadden in front of goal.
However, it was very much the calm, before the goal scoring storm. A strike from Helen McKenna, hit the back of the net on the 53rd minute. Not content with being 1-0 up, she was soon on the score sheet again, with a goal in the 62nd minute.
Despite dominating possession and sitting on a 2-0 lead, complacency wasn’t an issue for Alfie Wylie’s girls and the hunger for a third goal, was rife. This came in the 69th minute, following a free kick from Julie Nelson to put the home side 3-0 up.
Further attempts by Northern Ireland were unfortunate not to slip past the keeper, but they held their nerve and continued to push forward.
Estonia had a last ditch attempt at goal in the closing quarter of the game, but it missed the target. Three goals and three points to Northern Ireland, it finished 3-0.
Speaking after the game, National Women’s Coach Alfie Wylie said: “What a great result for the girls! I’m delighted with their performance here today.
“A 3-0 win, playing at club level is a big feat, but to do it at international level is a great achievement. I couldn’t have faulted them, it’s a clean sheet and I actually think, we could have got a few more.”
Team captain Ashley Hutton echoed Alfie’s words: “It’s great to get a result like today in one of the final games of this campaign.
“It proves that the hard work we do on the training pitch is starting to pay off and it’s a great boost to have that winning feeling back. Hopefully this will stand us in good stead and we can look forward to the next two games against Serbia and Croatia.”
