Teen goalkeeper Lillie Woods enjoys dream debut as Northern Ireland beat Czechia

Czechia 0 Northern Ireland 2

Northern Ireland goalscorers Kerry Beattie and Sarah McFadden with goalkeeper Lillie Woods

Northern Ireland players celebrate a fantastic victory

Northern Ireland’s Sarah McFadden celebrates scoring against Czechia during Tuesday’s Friendly International at the Stadium Municipal Gardens, Ostrava

Northern Ireland’s Kerry Beattie celebrates scoring against Czechia

Northern Ireland interim manager Gail Redmond

Lilie Woods’ teenage dreams all came true in a wonderful 90 minutes that will live long in the memory of the young goalkeeper.

Handed her Northern Ireland debut the Mid Ulster Ladies shot-stopper, who until a few years ago was playing as a striker, played a massive part in an overall impressive team performance as she marked her senior international bow with a clean sheet in a wonderful 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in Opava.

With the 19-year-old doing her job, a goal in each half from Sarah McFadden and substitute Kerry Beattie secured victory for interim manager Gail Redmond.

Northern Ireland will now go into the Nations League opener against the Republic of Ireland in late September with confidence high after an excellent away win against a team ranked in the top 15 in Europe.

It could have been more as well, with a couple of chances in a whirlwind period immediately after the first goal and Caragh Hamilton twice going close to adding a third in the second half.

Redmond had promised changes and was bold in using the squad, bringing five players into the line up from Friday night’s 3-0 defeat to Scotland.

Throwing Woods in for her debut was a brave decision, but ultimately a great move.

There was n such bravado in front of her, the same back four of Rebecca McKenna, McFadden, Rebecca