A 0-0 draw in their opening game of League B in the European Championships Qualifiers saw Northern Ireland and Malta share the points at Windsor Park.

A disallowed goal in the first half and a possible penalty chance not given in the second denied Northern Ireland victory over the visitors. Manager Tanya Oxtoby reflects on a disappointing start to their Qualifying Campaign.

“Look, we came in for three points, we didn’t get that, so from that point of view- disappointing. We controlled the game with the ball but we probably didn’t do enough in the final third in terms of creating goal scoring opportunities in the right areas so, something we need to go away and work on.

However, despite their performance, Oxtoby recognises the positives within the squad.

“But the positives for us, obviously Jackie back, Connie’s coming off the bench for us, Dino [Nadine Caldwell] playing in at centre back- so those adaptations and the players taking that on board is pleasing. It gives us a good foundation to continue to build, but yeah from our point of view, [we are] disappointed with not getting three points.”

Similar to their Nations League Play off games, Northern Ireland came up against a low block tactic set up as Malta dropped deep to defend any attacking motions. Oxtoby commented on Malta’s tactical play, expressing “Look it’s one of the hardest things to do in football, when teams close down your space and you have to try and move them and disrupt what they’re trying to do.

Malta were fantastic tonight, they were really really organised, came with a game plan. We kind of knew what they were going to do but it doesn’t make it any easier to try and, you know, break it down so that’s a new challenge for us. Obviously they’re ecstatic with a point and so they should be, in terms of the fact that they’ve come away from home and put in a performance like that.

So we need to be better, we need to take that as a compliment that teams are starting to do that against us, but we also need to be understanding our timing and our movement in the final third and how we can disrupt that a little bit better.”

Oxtoby had no doubt that the disallowed goal should have stood in Northern Ireland’s favour, expressing “It’s a goal, that’s my thoughts.” She continued, “I don’t need to see it back, it’s a goal.”

The disallowed goal came nearing the end of the first half, where Simone Magill expertly slotted the ball into the left corner, after slipping initially. It was then disallowed due to a Magill handball.

Simone Magill reflects on a disappointing outcome for Northern Ireland, commenting, “I think, yea just one of those nights unfortunately, you know things just don’t go our way. Frustrating, you know we obviously set ourselves a standard we’ve got to be winning them games so not our night by any means.”

Some in the crowd expressed that if the goal was disallowed, there should be a penalty for an initial foul on Magill. Simone Magill reflected on this moment in her post-match comments:

“I mean I’ve not seen it back but you know for those who have they’ve said that. You know I’ve definitely felt some contact which is why I went to the ground, but I managed to get back up and put it in the net so I had no idea why it was sort of blown up. She says handball, need to see it back but I don’t recall it hitting my hand so you know if that goal stands, different game.”

With decisions not given in Northern Ireland’s favour, Simone Magill comments on if VAR has a place in the Women’s game.

“I mean you could go down that angle yea. There’s pros and cons to it but obviously on nights like tonight if there is something like that then we come away with three points. That then begs the question that there is probably a place for it.“

A positive which the squad took away from the match was Connie Scofield receiving her first Northern Ireland cap, being called up to the squad for the first time this international window.

Simone Magill expresses the energy Scofield brings to the squad, commeting, “Absolutely, you know, her character that I’m sure you’ll all get to know in time. She brings a bundle of energy which is really really exciting, you know as a forward to have that in behind you.

She plays at a good level over in England and she’s a fantastic addition to the squad so, you know hopefully that’s the first of many for Connie in our squad.”

Debutant Connie Scofield came on as a substitute in the second half, the midfielder reflecting on a special debut at Windsor Park.

“I’m really happy to be involved, I was super happy to get my call up and then to be involved in a fixture camp. Obviously my papers hadn’t gone through, and they only came through a couple of days ago.

So yeah, I’m just super happy to be involved in the squad and I wasn’t sure if I’d come on today but my Dad was coming over to support me anyway and so I’m just delighted that I came on to the pitch, especially because he supports me through so much.”

Northern Ireland now turn their attention toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, as they travel to FF BH Football Training Centre to face their upcoming opponents on Tuesday evening.