New Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Michael McArdle got his reign off to a perfect start tonight.
Northern Ireland ran out 4-0 winners against Malta in a World Cup qualifier at Mourneview Park in Lurgan.
It was McArdle’s first game in charge following his appointment last month – and his players delivered for him with an energetic and confident performance.
Northern Ireland began the third game of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign in scintillating fashion.
They took the lead after five minutes. Midfielder Megan Bell pinged a cross to attacker Danielle Maxwell down the right flank and she beat her marker before firing a cross into the danger zone where Keri Halliday tucked it away from six yards. It was the striker’s first international goal.
Malta keeper Giulia D’Antuono pushed a Bell corner over the bar as Northern Ireland continued to play on the front foot.
Halliday turned provider for the second goal on 17 minutes. She sped down the left wing before delivering a cross into the six-yard box where midfielder Joely Andrews arrived right on cue to superbly nod the ball into the net. It was another well worked goal.
Six minutes later Malta had their first attack. Maria Farrugia ran forward and cut the ball back to Rachel Cuschieri, whose shot was blocked by Rebecca Holloway.
Defender Ellie Mason blasted a shot inches over the top from distance as Northern Ireland continued to press.
D’Antuono got down well to keep out a Bell close range strike on 33 minutes. Halliday met the rebound, however her shot was blocked by a defender.
On 41 minutes Lauren Wade got on the end of a Malta clearance and fired a shot inches over the bar.
Halliday grabbed her second of the game seven minutes after the restart. Mason slipped the ball to her down the left flank and she cut inside her marker before drilling the ball into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
Malta almost pulled a goal back when Haley Bugeja produced a fine curler, however Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns managed to tip the ball onto the bar.
Northern Ireland made it four in the 60th minute. Bell won back possession and clipped the ball over the top to Maxwell who raced forward and lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper from 20 yards. D’Antuono got a touch to the ball but it dropped into the back of the net.
Burns produced another fine stop to push a Maria Farrugia strike on to the woodwork. And on 65 minutes Farrugia clipped a free-kick over the bar.
Cora Chambers made her international debut in the 71st minute and she was soon in the thick of it, laying the ball off to fellow substitute and striker Casey Howe.
The game became a bit scrappy in the closing stages, however Northern Ireland had done more than enough to secure a fine win.
Following defeats to Switzerland and Turkiye in the opening two qualifiers at the start of last month, McArdle had insisted three points were a must in the League B Group 2 encounter. And his players certainly delivered for him tonight.
Next up for Northern Ireland in the European Qualifiers for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 is an away match against Malta on Saturday when they will be looking to put more points on the board. That game at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’Qali has a 6pm BST start.
Switzerland defeated Turkiye 3-1 at home in the other group game tonight. The Swiss have three wins out of three and top the table with maximum points.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna (captain), Ellie Mason, Natalie Johnson, Rebecca Holloway, Brenna McPartlan, Joely Andrews, Megan Bell, Keri Halliday, Danielle Maxwell, Lauren Wade.
Substitutes: (used) Casey Howe, Cora Chambers, Caragh Hamilton, Aimee Kerr; (unused) Lauren Perry, Abbie Smith, Abi Sweetlove, Laura Rafferty, Leyla McFarland, Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel, Kelsie Burrows.
Malta: Giulia D’Antuono, Jade Flask, Maya Lucia, Emma Lipman (captain), Oceane Grange, Nicole Sciberras, Brenda Borg, Rachel Cuschieri, Maria Farrugia, Haley Bugeja, Shona Zammit.
Substitutes: (used) Kailey Willis, Alexandra Gatt, Leah Ayres, Jana Barbara; (unused) Raisa Costantino (GK), Maya Cachia (GK), Tammy Falzon, Crista Chetcuti-Ganado, Veronique Mifsud, Yulya Carella, Emma Xuereb, Maia Debono.
Action from Lurgan
