Amber Barrett’s first half penalty and Anna Patten’s second half header were enough for Ireland to defeat Greece at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday night. Victory means that Carla Ward’s side have now made it three wins in four UEFA Nations League matches.
Ireland made two changes from the side that won 4-0 in Heraklion last Friday. Into the starting line up came Marissa Sheva as Ruesha Littlejohn was afforded some respite. Kyra Carusa dropped out of the squad due to a quad injury and in her place came Amber Barrett who scored Ireland’s fourth after coming off the bench on Friday. Ireland were also without inspirational captain Katie McCabe after the Dubliner picked up her second booking of the campaign against Greece on Friday resulting in a one match suspension.
The visitors made only one change from defeat at home last week as Maria Paterna returned to the starting line up in place of Maria Gkouni at the back. There was still no place for veteran captain Eleni Kakabouki who had to settle for a place on the bench.
The Line ups:
IRE: Brosnan, Mannion, Stapleton, Patten, Campbell, Toland, Sheva, O’Sullivan, Lucy Quinn, Barrett, Kiernan
GRE: Nasi, Palama, Markou, Paterna, Ntarzanou, Saich, Sarri, Moraitou, Mitkou, Papatheodorou, Spiridonidou
The Action:
In the early evening sun at Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium Ireland pressed the visitors high up the pitch. Within ten minutes some wonderful running from Leanne Kiernan on the right wing saw the Liverpool forward cut inside before being clearly taken out by Athanasia Moraitou. Replays showed the tackle came just outside the box but never the less the referee pointed to the spot. Barrett stepped up and confidently found the bottom corner giving Ireland a well deserved and much needed early lead.
With the lead in hand the Girls in Green pressed to double their advantage smothering Greece whenever the visitors had the ball. Ireland perhaps should have been further ahead when a wonderful lofted through ball from Kiernan found Lucy Quinn running in behind but the Birmingham City midfielder was forced wide and scooped her shot over the bar. As half time approached Ireland continued to dominate with shots from Barrett, Aoife Mannion and Tyler Toland all threatening to double the advantage.
The second half kicked off under a blood orange evening sky as the sun set over Dublin. Ireland made one change at half time with Kiernan withdrawn and Newcastle United striker Emily Murphy introduced. Greece rolled the dice introducing Kakabouki from the bench in search of a mature head. Ireland doubled their lead early in the second half, a whipped delivery from Megan Campbell placed onto the six yard box found the forehead of Anna Patten who powerfully directed the ball home for 2-0.
Veatriki Sarri was the first player to test her team mate Courtney Brosnan in the Irish goal but her powerful effort from distance was straight at Brosnan. It was the Everton midfielder’s first sight of goal but it would not be her last, and she pulled one back for Greece with Ireland slightly more passive as the half wore on. Sarri cut inside and fired through the legs of Tyler Toland and out of reach of Brosnan. With 15 minutes to go Greece looked to break quickly and steal an equaliser. Ioanna Papatheodorou was a threat for the visitors, finding space in behind on more than one occasion.
Saoirse Noonan came off the bench to lift the crowd’s anxiety a touch. However Lucy Quinn had her pocket picked moments later and Ireland were lucky to have Patten alert to the danger who was able to hustle the ball away. Ireland had not lost their own threat and an improvised effort from Quinn from a Campbell long throw needed saving from Zoi Nasi.
Ireland managed the game’s conclusion, introducing Littlejohn, Abbie Larkin and Caitlin Hayes from the bench to see out a 2-1 victory. Next up for Ireland is a trip to Turkey before welcoming Slovenia to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in what is likely to be the deciding match of the group.
Ireland Player Ratings
Courtney Brosnan – 6/10 – The Irish keeper had precious little to do throughout, saved from her club team mate but was later beaten by Sarri, the finish was impeccable and there is little fault to be laid at Brosnan’s door for it.
Aoife Mannion – 7/10 – Was positive moving forward with the ball at her feet driving at the Greek defence on more than one occasion.
Jessie Stapleton – 7/10 – It is astounding the Sunderland centre back’s maturity, a confident passer of the ball and her positioning in the defensive third is impressive.
Anna Patten – 8/10 – Patten has great defensive awareness and even when not always called upon is alert to danger. Patten made a near post run and took an ever better header to double the Irish advantage. Patten stayed alert throughout when others appeared complacent.
Megan Campbell – 8/10 – Campbell made some great direct runs into the Greek half early on and was happier to come forward tonight than she had been on Friday. Set piece delivery in the absence of McCabe was good, it was her wicked delivery that found Patten for the second Ireland goal.
Tyler Toland – 6/10 – Was more assured on the ball in Tallaght than on Friday but not completely convincing in staking a claim to that centre midfield spot.
Marissa Sheva – 7/10 – Had a number of intelligent and deft touches when Ireland pushed on in attack. Alongside Stapleton she is the player who has made the most compelling case in this international window for a starting spot in this side.
Denise O’Sullivan – 7/10 – Set the tempo early on for Ireland storming forward with the ball at her feet. A classy operator for Ireland who stepped up in leading by example for Ireland without McCabe. Could be heard martialling the team throughout.
Lucy Quinn – 7/10 – Played a perfect through ball to Denise O’Sullivan early on and shortly after should have scored. Combined well with Megan Campbell on the left side.
Amber Barrett – 8/10 – Took her penalty extremely well and oozed confidence. Had a couple of wonderful touches in her hold up play.
Leanne Kiernan – 7/10 – Enthusiastic running earned Ireland an early penalty and a lead that was vital for Ireland. Played a beautiful through ball to Lucy Quinn in the first half, the recipient should have done better. Came off at half time after an impressive showing.
SUBS
Emily Murphy– 6/10 – (Subbed on for Leanne Kiernan 46′) Struggled to get involved for much of the second half as Ireland became a touch complacent in the second half.
Saoirse Noonan – N/A – (Subbed on for Amber Barrett 73′)
Abbie Larkin – N/A – (Subbed on for Lucy Quinn 83′)
Ruesha Littlejohn – N/A – (Subbed on for Tyler Toland 83′)
Caitlin Hayes – N/A – (Subbed on for Marissa Sheva 89′)
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Megan Campbell
As a journalist covering Ireland you become accustomed to giving out Player of the Match awards to Ireland’s left back but this time she did not don the captain’s armband. In the absence McCabe, Campbell stepped up, not only at left back but also on set piece duties and her delivery was lethal, She was positive on the ball and combined well with Lucy Quinn in front of her.
