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Northern Ireland pegged back in Romania  

Romania 1 (Ciolacu 38)

Northern Ireland 1 (Maxwell 33)

Northern Ireland’s played out a 1-1 draw against Romania in their UEFA Women’s Nations League match in Bucharest, a result which

marked the first of two encounters between the sides this month.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side opened the scoring with a well taken first half goal from Danielle Maxwell at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf. However, Romania fought back to level the score and secure their first point in League B Group 1.

The match produced limited scoring opportunities. Northern Ireland, who remain in second place in the group with four points following Poland’s 5-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Gdansk, began the game on the front foot. An early Maxwell cross found Lauren Wade in the box, but she couldn’t make clean contact.

Romania’s Cristina Carp sent a header off target, while another Maxwell delivery was cleared with captain Simone Magill poised to strike. Wade then saw a dangerous cross cleared before taking a corner, which goalkeeper Andreea Paraluta punched away. Rebecca Holloway met the loose ball but lifted her effort over the bar from close range.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Megan Bell’s precise pass released Maxwell, who fired home from 14 yards. Shortly after, Wade’s inviting cross forced Paraluta to tip the ball over for a corner.

Romania equalised against the run of play in the 38th minute. A long ball from defender Maria Ficzay caught out the Northern Ireland defence, allowing Mihaela Ciolacu to nip in and lift her finish over advancing goalkeeper Jackie Burns. Just before the interval, Burns’ clearance fell to Carp, but the forward miscued her shot wide.

Burns was called into action early in the second half, pushing away a testing cross from Carmen Marcu. At the other end, Maxwell’s clever flick set up Joely Andrews, but Paraluta narrowed the angle to thwart the midfielder. Substitute Connie Scofield linked up with Magill in the 65th minute, only for Ficzay to intervene and allow Paraluta to gather Magill’s low drive.

The contest grew disjointed with 20 minutes remaining. Stefania Vatafu sent a cross beyond the far post, while Scofield’s rising effort was held by Paraluta. Ellie Mason’s timely block denied Vatafu in the box, and at the other end, substitute Kascie Weir’s cross narrowly evaded Magill.

Northern Ireland survived a late scare when Ciolacu rattled the bar from 12 yards. Then in stoppage time, the Romanian striker clipped a free kick onto the roof of the net.

Northern Ireland now turn their attention to the return fixture against Romania on Tuesday, 8 April, at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, with kick off scheduled for 7pm.  

Romania: Andreea Paraluta, Teodora Nicoara, Erika Gered, Ana Maria Stanciu, Maria Ficzay, Florentina Olar, Carmen Marcu (sub Olga Iordachiusi 62mins), Ioana Bortan, Cristina Carp (sub Claudia Bistrian 80mins), Stefania Vatafu, Mihaela Ciolacu. Subs not used: Camelia Ceasar, Reka Tanko, Sonia Bumbar, Adina Borodi, Giorgiana Vasile, Andrea Herczeg, Anita Kis, Antonia Bratu, Anita Antal.

Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Ellie Mason, Rebecca Holloway (sub Natalie Johnson 88mins), Rachel Dugdale, Brenna McPartlan, Danielle Maxwell (sub Caragh Hamilton 60mins), Megan Bell (sub Connie Scofield 60mins), Simone Magill, Joely Andrews, Lauren Wade (sub Kascie Weir 82mins). Subs not used: Rachael Norney, Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Natalie Johnson, Aimee Kerr, Keri Halliday, Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel, Emily Wilson, Abi Sweetlove.