NI end winless run against Malta in McArdle's first match

Michael McArdle's tenure as Northern Ireland manager began with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Malta in their Women's World Cup qualifier at Mourneview Park. Keri Halliday ended a four-game goal drought in the opening five minutes before Joely Andrews doubled their lead. Halliday netted once again in the second half with Danielle Maxwell adding a fourth for the impressive home side.

The result means McArdle becomes the first manager in Northern Ireland's past five who have won their opening match and ends the team's six-match stint without a win. Confident Northern Ireland dominate It was the perfect start to the game for Northern Ireland, who opened the scoring through their first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Halliday's close-range shot took a deflection and found the bottom corner. Megan Bell's corner was then palmed to safety by Giulia D'Antuono, who was the much busier keeper in Lurgan.

Halliday turned provider in the 18th minute when her cross was headed home by Andrews to double Northern Ireland's advantage. Malta attempted to halve the home side's lead through Maria Farrugia's shot, but Rebecca Holloway blocked the effort. As the half-time whistle approached, Ellie Mason and Lauren Wade sent efforts narrowly off target.

Northern Ireland started the second half with similar intent, with Halliday netting her second of the evening on 52 minutes when D'Antuono was unable to keep her low strike from finding the bottom corner. Jackie Burns had a quiet evening but made a huge save to palm Haley Bugeja's on-target shot on to the woodwork. However, NI didn't let that chance impact their momentum with Megan Bell's well-timed pass finding Maxwell, who lobbed the busy Malta stopper to score on the hour mark.