Northern Ireland showed their firepower once again as they defeated Malta in a World Cup qualifier in Malta this evening.
Two goals from defender Ellie Mason – her first goals for Northern Ireland – and a goal apiece from defender Natalie Johnson and attacker Leyla McFarland, also their first goals for the senior women’s team, helped Michael McArdle’s side earn a 4-2 win.
The match at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’Qali was the second game of a double header against the Maltese in League B Group 2 of the European Qualifiers for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
For his second game in charge of the Northern Ireland team McArdle made just one change from the 11 that started the 4-0 win against the Maltese in Lurgan on Tuesday night. McFarland replaced Danielle Maxwell in attack.
Malta made three changes to the team that took to the pitch at Mourneview Park. Raisa Costantino replaced Giulia D’Antuono in nets, while defender Alexandra Gatt and striker Kailey Willis also came in to the side. Jade Flask and Maya Lucia made way for them.
The players faced much different conditions in Ta’Qali compared to the cold and damp at Mourneview. The game was played on an artificial pitch rather than grass and temperatures in Malta reached 21c.
Northern Ireland started brightly. Rebecca Holloway had a couple of chances early on before Ellie Mason was off target with an effort.
Clearcut chances were few and far between in the opening 30 minutes as both defences held firm.
Megan Bell missed a good opportunity around the half-hour mark. She burst into the penalty area to latch on to a slick Rebecca Holloway pass but her shot drifted wide of the post.
On 40 minutes though the midfielder’s pinpoint cross from a corner was met by Mason, who headed the ball powerfully into the net to make it 1-0.
A minute later Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns saved an effort from Malta attacker Haley Bugeja, however Malta equalised from the resulting corner. Gatt delivered the ball into the area where Maria Farrugia volleyed it into the net.
Mason put an effort wide just before the break and Burns saved another Bugeja shot.
Northern Ireland restored their lead on 51 minutes. Mason pounced on a loose clearance from Malta just outside the area and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. It was a neat finish.
Substitute Danielle Maxwell put a shot wide and Maria Farrugia was also off target with an effort.
In the 69th minute Maxwell's corner was turned home by Johnson to make it 3-1 to Northern Ireland.
A minute later Holloway was sent off for a second bookable offence.
McArdle’s side took that setback in their stride, however, as they added a fourth on 72 minutes.
A long pass forward found McFarland who held off her marker before firing the ball into the far corner. It was another great finish.
Mason had a further chance after that and substitute Casey Howe was denied by Costantino.
Malta substitute Leah Ayres pulled a goal back for Malta with a tidy finish.
In the closing stages Burns saved a Bugeja effort but by that stage Northern Ireland had done enough to secure another good win.
The victory means Northern Ireland are now just a point behind Turkiye in League B Group 2. Turkiye drew with table toppers Switzerland earlier today to move on to seven points. The Swiss have 10 points from four matches.
Northern Ireland’s final set of qualifiers in June will see them come up against Turkiye away and Switzerland at home.
Malta: Raisa Costantino, Alexandra Gatt,Shona Zammit, Emma Lipman (captain), Oceane Grange, Nicole Sciberras, Brenda Borg, Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis, Haley Bugeja, Maria Farrugia.
Substitutes: (used) Tammy Falzon, Leah Ayres, Crista Chetcuti-Ganado; (unused) Giulia D’Antuono (GK), Maya Cachia (GK), Veronique Mifsud, Jade Flask, Maya Lucia, Jana Barbara, Yulya Carella, Emma Xuereb, Maia Debono.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna (captain), Ellie Mason, Natalie Johnson, Rebecca Holloway, Brenna McPartlan, Joely Andrews, Megan Bell, Leyla McFarland, Keri Halliday, Lauren Wade.
Substitutes: (used) Danielle Maxwell, Casey Howe, Caragh Hamilton, Laura Rafferty, Aimee Kerr; (unused) Lauren Perry, Abbie Smith, Abi Sweetlove, Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel, Cora Chambers, Kelsie Burrows.
Action from Malta
