26.05.07 Northern Ireland 1 - 3 Czech Republic

[Report: Martin Harris, IFA website]

NORTHERN Ireland’s ladies produced a sterling performance this afternoon at Coleraine but, in the end, couldn’t avoid falling to a 3-1 defeat to the highly rated Czech Republic in the European Championship qualifiers.

Alfie Wylie's side started well and might have moved in front through a Julie Nelson close range effort which went just wide.

But their early endeavour was rewarded after just ten minutes when Sarah McFadden chipped the Czech keeper from some 22 yards after spotting her off the line.

Unfortunately the lead lasted only 44 seconds when the experienced Gabriela Chlumecka - the first of her eventual hat-trick - was allowed to rise unhindered to nod the ball home at the back post from a corner.

Northern Ireland's cause wasn't helped in the second half when Nelson was dismissed for picking up two yellow cards but despite this disadvantage Kelly Bailie might have made it 2-1 only to see her free-kick tipped wide.

However, the Czech's - ranked some 59 places higher - went on to kill the game with two late Chlumecka goals as their greater experience finally began to show.

Northern Ireland continue their campaign on August 1st with a trip to Belarus.