Northern Ireland defeated Malta 5-1 in the opening game from Group B5 of the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship Round 2 at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.

Rhianna Breen put Northern Ireland ahead on the 5th minute and Niamh Boothroyd doubled the score on the 15th. Francesca Bartolo pulled one back for Malta on the 24th but two minutes later, Gracie Conway made it 3-1. In the dying minutes, Northern Ireland added another two goals thanks to substitute Bernadette Ferreira on the 84th and 86th.

Photo courtesy of Joe Borg / Malta FA

Northern Ireland plays Luxembourg on Saturday while Luxembourg face Malta on Tuesday. Both matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium at 11:00.

MALTA Maya Muscat, Amber Galea (61′ Leanne Frendo), Aisha Micallef, Francesca Bartolo, Ema Micallef, Lexine Farrugia (86′ Lisa Calleja), Sara Saliba (46′ Maia Gauci), Nyorah Celeste (61′ Amelia Vassallo), Kaysia Micallef (77′ Suzanne Farrugia Sacco), Thea Ida Scicluna, Stella Francalanza.

N. IRELAND Abbie Smith, Niamh Hassan, Olivia Best (36′ Laura Dowey), Ellen Hampton, Darcie McNeill (77′ Jessica McGuinness), Niamh Boothroyd (59′ Sophie Kelly Bradley), Rhianna Breen (59′ Bernadette Ferreira), Mia Moore, Gracie Conway, Daisy Conway, Clodagh Maguire (46′ Zoe Knox).

Referee: Oxana Cruc MDA
Assistant Referees: Ana Bahcivanji MDA, Fitore Govori KOS
Fourth Official: Rita Vehapi KOS