Northern Ireland hit four in Albania
Albania 0
Northern Ireland 4 (Magill 43,47, Maxwell 58, Bell 85)
Northern Ireland produced a great display as they defeated Albania Women 4-
Senior women’s team manager Tanya Oxtoby had urged her players to be more clinical in front of goal before the UEFA Women’s Nations League clash – and they showed a ruthless streak in securing all three points in their penultimate League B Group 1 game.
Back in September, when the girls in green and white defeated the Albanians by a single goal at Seaview, several chances went begging for Northern Ireland. But that was certainly not the case at Arena Kombetare in the Albanian capital as two goals from Simone Magill and one apiece from Danielle Maxwell and Megan Bell helped them to a comfortable win.
On 10 minutes captain Marissa Callaghan played an excellent pass to Magill. The striker flicked the ball over Albania keeper Viona Rexhepi inside the six-
Lauren Wade and Maxwell both fired in crosses which were cleared by the home defence as Northern Ireland enjoyed the bulk of the possession against the deep-
In the 20th minute winger Wade pulled the ball back to midfielder Joely Andrews 10 yards out. She let fly but her effort deflected off Armela Tukaj and dropped over the bar. Callaghan fired in a shot which also deflected off Tukaj and out for a corner before a dangerous Rebecca McKenna delivery was punched clear by Rexhepi.
Magill steered a header wide as Northern Ireland continued to push forward, while Callaghan swept a cross into the side netting. Defender Sarah McFadden got on the end of a Demi Vance delivery from a corner but her header looped over the top.
In the 43rd minute Northern Ireland got the goal that they deserved. Wade broke down the left and pulled the ball back to Callaghan. Her shot from six yards hit a defender but Magill was on hand to tuck home the rebound from close range.
Just before the break Callaghan fizzed an effort over the bar, while Laura Rafferty got on the end of a Callaghan cross but her header was comfortably held by Rexhepi.
Magill grabbed her second of the game on 47 minutes. McKenna fed Maxwell down the right and her pinpoint cross was superbly headed into the bottom corner of the net by the forward. It was a tidy finish.
On 53 minutes Albania had their first effort on goal when substitute Fortesa Berisha dragged a shot wide of the target.
In the 58th minute Vance slipped the ball to Wade down the left and she sped forward before pulling the ball back to Maxwell whose well-
Rexhepi saved well from Wade as Northern Ireland piled forward. And then Chloe McCarron’s low drive slid past the post.
In the 64th minute Keri Halliday made her senior international debut and six minutes later Rexhepi pushed away a Callaghan header before McCarron’s goalbound shot was blocked by a defender.
Goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-
Substitute Megan Bell grabbed Northern Ireland’s fourth goal on 85 minutes. Vance floated a corner to the back post and Bell’s looping header found the back of the net.
Albania: Viona Rexhepi, Mikaela Metalla (sub Fortesa Berisha 45mins), Lucie Gjini, Matilda Gjergji (sub Vesa Paqarizi 61mins), Sara Maliqi, Qendresa Krasniqi, Megi Doci (sub Esi Lufo 75mins), Armela Tukaj, Kristina Maksuti (sub Valenita Troka 84mins), Ezmiralda Franja, Gresa Berisha. Subs not used: Antigona Hyska, Arbenita Curraj, Maria Bashka, Alma Hila.
Northern Ireland: Maddy Harvey-
(irishfa.com)