The stage was set in Belfast as Northern Ireland geared up to host Malta in the first round of the European Championship qualifiers in League B under the lights of Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland looked to find victory over Malta in front of a home crowd to open their campaign, as Tanya Oxtoby elects to start Jacqueline Burns in goal who returns to the squad from a long period of absence due to injury.

NIR: Burns, McKenna, Vance, Rafferty, McCarron, Callaghan, Magill, Wade, Caldwell, Hamilton, Andrews

MAL: Xuereb, Said, Lipman, Farrugia, Cuschieri, Sultana, Farrugia, S.Zammit, C.Zammit, Borg, Bugeja

With both teams eager to garner a numerical advantage early in the campaign, Northern Ireland kicked off the game by applying early pressure to Malta’s defensive set up.

Northern Ireland had eyes on goal, with a ball delivered from Laura Rafferty in the back line, finding Demi Vance. Receiving the ball from the right wing, Lauren Wade sent a cross into the box, however the hosts struggled to find the net around a tight Malta defence.

With the ball cleared from the box, it landed at the feet of Rebecca McKenna who sent a shot directly at Janice Xuereb between the goalposts. Malta struggled to recover their momentum and Northern Ireland kept the play in their attacking half.

A handball by Maria Farrugia saw Northern Ireland receive a free kick outside the box in an opportunistic position. Joely Andrews was set to take, as she passed it back to Rebecca McKenna, who sent a cross into a crowded Malta area. Northern Ireland were unable to convert, and the ball fell behind play and out for a goal kick.

The visitors had their first attack towards goal in the 13^th minute, with Brenda Borg placing a line-breaking search through to Maria Farrugia. This didn’t prove a challenge for Jackie Burns, who dealt with the danger easily.

Northern Ireland’s attacking momentum returned, as Lauren Wade took the ball round Charlene Zammit, sending play out and towards Simone Magill. Magill laid it off to Marissa Callaghan, though she was unable to shoot around the Malta defensive line.

Northern Ireland’s most convincing chance of the clash so far came through a shot outside the penalty area. It would be Joely Andrews who sent the shot soaring towards the right corner, which was read wonderfully by Janice Xuereb who was able to deny Northern Ireland a goal.

As the halftime whistle loomed, Northern Ireland had a final chance to score before the break in the interval. Simone Magill received the ball from the right wing, initially slipping but was able to recover, before expertly sending the ball into the bottom left corner.

Though Northern Ireland’s lead did not last long, as the goal was ruled offside due to a handball in the build up. The teams then left the pitch, ending a goalless first half of play.

Malta were hungry for the game as the second half began, applying immediate pressure to Northern Ireland. Shona Zammit had eyes for goal as she shot towards the bottom left corner of the goal, though Jacqueline Burns was able to save, diving perfectly in time to evade the play from danger.

The hosts were quick to respond, as Demi Vance found space to shoot around a strong Malta defence. Her shot hit the post and landed at Simone Magill’s feet, though the Northern Irish attacker struggled to put it into the net.

Malta saw a chance to score as the clock began to run down, as Haley Bugeja received a searching ball from Brenda Borg. Trying to shoot from wide along the right flank, her attempts were saved by Burns to keep the scoring level at Windsor Park.

As the match entered the 70th minute of of play, the hosts introduced Connie Scofield into the squad, who received her first senior call up to the Northern Ireland ahead of the current international window.

Chloe McCarron gave Xuerub her toughest challenge yet, sending the ball soaring towards the top left corner. Xuereb was able to palm away the danger in the dying moment of flight, denying yet another chance to score.

The match entered the last five minutes of play, and both teams settled into an end-to-end battle in hopes of breaking the deadlock at Windsor Park. Oxtoby looked to bring new inspiration to her squad’s attack, as Emily Wilson replaced Lauren Wade. Malta decided to also bring fresh legs into the game with Haley Bugeja being replaced by Nicole Sciberras.

With the match goalless at the 90 minute mark, five added minutes were available for either team to run away with victory. Northern Ireland had a promising chance, with Emily Wilson running down the left wing having availabilty to cross. However, she was unable to place her attempt, sending it into the hands of Janice Xuereb.

As the whistle loomed, tired legs across the pitch saw both teams try to hold on to the draw, unable to inspire an attacking movement. Malta slowed the pace of the game to ensure a point was taken into their next fixture.

The final whistle blew at Windsor Park, as the Malta players celebrated a point on the board to commence their European Championship Qualifying campaign.