LADIES SOCCER: NI lose to Spain
Northern Ireland Ladies lost 2-0 agianst Spain in their Group One UEFA Championship game at Newry Showgrounds.
It completed the double for Spain, having already won 4-0 in the corresponding fixture.
The local girls were on the back foot after the slick visitors had taken advantage of some hesitant defending to go two up within nine minutes.
The Northern Ladies have now played seven games in their group without a win and even more depressingly, just a single goal scored with 25 conceded
There is no shortage of commitment among Alfie Wylie's charges but they – as he admits – have been "punching above their weight".
Spain's two first half goals were scored by their quick-moving forward Erika Vazquez Morales.
But Northern Ireland had started well enough with a strong run from Demi Vance forcing the Spanish defence to clear hurriedly into touch.
But then a free-kick on the left was well delivered into the Northern Ireland box and with the defence hesitant, Morales capitalised to tap it home
And the local girls had no time to recover as straight from the kick-off a cross by Ano Romero Moreno gave Morales another golden opportunity and she placed wide of Emma Higgins.
Northern Ireland kept on battling and did well to keep the score to just 2-0 at half time with Aine McGovern clearing what looked like a third goal off the line.
Indeed the home side had a good chance to reduce the arrears following a corner from the left which was headed for goal by Ashley Hutton but unfortunately it hit the top of the crossbar and went behind.
The second half was rather in the mode of the first with the visitors in charge and looking altogether faster, fitter and more skilful.
And it came as no surprise when they got a third goal in the 72nd minute when a cross from Itziar Gurrutxaga went to Veronica Booquete Giadans and she cracked it past Emma Higgins from 18 yards out.
Higgins came off her line to prevent what looked to be number four right at the end when Vanesa Gimbert Acoasta ran through but the shot was blocked by the keeper with her legs.
Northern Ireland's final game is against Belarus at home at the end of July.
Northern Ireland: Higgins, McGovern, Bailie, Hutton, Nelson, Harkin, Turner (Gillespie,90), Hall, McFadden(McCann, 76), Havelin (Caldwell, 64), Vance
Spain: Tira, Nicolau, (Garcia, 85),Gimbert, Vesga, Torrejon, Bermudez(Perez,79) Romero, Gurrutzaga, Vasquez Morales, Dieguez de Ona (Tous, 74), Boquette
Referee: Christina Westrum Pedersen (Norway)
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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