The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Back to home page

Northern Ireland dispatched by classy Poland

Northern Ireland 0 Poland 4 (Pajor 5,9, Tomasiak 28, Achcinska 47)

Northern Ireland fell to a clinical Poland side in a 4-0 defeat at Seaview in their penultimate match of UEFA Women’s Nations League League B Group 1.

Manager Tanya Oxtoby made two changes to the team that beat Romania last time out, handing a debut to Linfield’s Abi Sweetlove and recalling Megan Bell in place of Keri Halliday and Caragh Hamilton. Poland also adjusted their line up, bringing back goalkeeper Kinga Szemik and midfielder Emilia Szymczak, while striker Ewa Pajor marked her 100th cap.

Poland signalled their intent early, with Pajor latching onto a long ball just 30 seconds in and attempting a lob that landed on the roof of the net. The Barcelona striker made no mistake on five minutes though, meeting Martyna Wiankowska’s cross to head past Ellie Mason and score from close range.

Four minutes later, Pajor doubled Poland’s lead, dispossessing goalkeeper Jackie Burns on the edge of the area and slotting into an empty net.

The visitors added a third before the half hour mark when Adriana Achcinska’s delivery found Paulina Tomasiak, who blasted home from 12 yards. Northern Ireland battled back, with captain Simone Magill nearly pulling one back on 34 minutes, only for her shot to be turned behind for a corner.

Poland pressed for a fourth before the break, with Tomasiak testing Burns from distance on 37 minutes, the keeper tipping the effort around the post. Tomasiak and Natalia Padilla-Bidas also forced saves from Burns as the half drew to a close.

Just over a minute into the second half, Poland extended their lead. Pajor created space for Achcinska, who tucked the ball home from close range. Padilla-Bidas came close to a fifth soon after, but her powerful strike hit the side netting.

With the result secure, Poland eased off, allowing Northern Ireland more possession. In the closing stages, Magill set up Rebecca Holloway, whose strong shot was pushed away by Szemik, with Rebecca McKenna firing the rebound over. Emily Wilson then laid off to Lauren Wade, but Kayla Adamek denied her the tap in. Wilson came closest to a consolation, thundering an effort off the bar after Danielle Maxwell’s cut back.

Debutant Aimee Kerr created a late chance, but her shot was comfortably saved by Szemik. Despite the tough night, Northern Ireland finished strongly, offering hope ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Zenica to face Bosnia-Herzegovina (kick off 6pm). A promotion play-off spot remains in contention after February’s narrow victory over the same opponents at Inver Park.

Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Nadene Caldwell, Ellie Mason, Abi Sweetlove (sub Lauren Wade 55mins), Rebecca Holloway, Joely Andrews, Brenna McPartlan (sub Rachel Dugdale 70mins), Megan Bell (sub Danielle Maxwell 45mins), Simone Magill (sub Aimee Kerr 84mins), Kascie Weir (sub Emily Wilson 70mins). Subs not used: Abbie Smith, Kate Smith, Rachel Furness, Natalie Johnson, Louise McDaniel, Keri Halliday, Caragh Hamilton.  

Poland: Kinga Szemik, Martyna Wiankowska, Paulina Dudek (sub Jagoda Cyraniak 68mins), Emilia Szymczak, Wiktoria Zienewicz, Ewelina Kamczyk (sub Matgorzata Mesjasz 68mins), Tanja Pawollek, Adriana Achcinska (sub Milena Kokosz 84mins), Natalia Padilla-Bidas, Ewa Pajor (sub Dominika Grabowska 68mins), Paulina Tomasiak. Subs not used: Natalia Radkiewicz, Kinga Seweryn, Aleksandra Zaremba, Weronika Zawistowska, Martyna Brodzik, Klaudia Jedlinska, Klaudia Slowinska.