International friendly: Northern Ireland defeat Czech Republic in Opava
- Published
Sarah McFadden (number four) watches as her header goes into the Czech Republic net
Goals from Sarah McFadden and Kerry Beattie helped Northern Ireland to a 2-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic.
The visitors were aiming to bounce back from Friday's defeat by Scotland and they were the first to threaten with Marissa Callaghan firing over.
McFadden headed home at the back post to give Northern Ireland a 26th-minute lead.
Half-time substitute Beattie hit the bottom corner to double the advantage just three minutes after coming on.
Northern Ireland interim manager Gail Redmond made five changes from the Scotland game and handed a debut to teenage goalkeeper Lilie Woods.
It was a deserved victory for Northern Ireland in balmy Opava and against a team ranked 18 places higher in the world rankings.
A smiling Kerry Beattie celebrates putting Northern Ireland 2-0 in front in Opava
Callaghan's early effort set the visitors on their way and McFadden scooped wide as they made a bright start.
The Czechs responded as Woods pushed out a drive from Kamila Dubcova before Lucie Jelinkova headed inches over.
Five minutes later Northern Ireland took the lead - Demi Vance delivered a deep corner and McFadden was there to find the net.
McFadden superbly blocked a Franny Cerna shot deep inside the area as half time approached.
Northern Ireland grabbed a second on 48 minutes as the ball fell into the path of Beattie and the striker produced a fine finish from 12 yards.
Nadene Caldwell blasted a shot over the bar as Northern Ireland continued to play on the front foot. Player-of-the-match Callaghan clipped the ball to the back post to Megan Bell and her close-range volley was pushed away by Barbora Votikova.
Andrea Staskova drilled a free-kick over the bar before Woods and McFadden combined to block a goal-bound Czech effort.
Caragh Hamilton broke clear of the Czechia defence and bore down on goal but her shot was pushed over the bar by Votikova.
One debutant replaced another late in the game as Cliftonville keeper Rachael Norney came on for Woods.