Northern Ireland produced three goals in the opening half hour to defeat Malta in the final match of the WU16 UEFA Development tournament.
Malta were looking to bounce back from their two consecutive defeats in the WU16 Development tournament in their final encounter against Northern Ireland.
It was Northern Ireland who took the lead after 10 minutes when a perfect through pass found Maja Stachura who made no mistake with a cool finish past Katelyn Camilleri.
Malta reacted on 19 minutes with a low shot by Krista Sacco that ended up saved for a corner by Zara Mcavoy. The Maltese girls came close again on 25 minutes when a shot by Shanaia Mifsud was somehow saved by Mcavoy.
But unfortunately for Malta, Northern Ireland doubled after an error at the back with the ball falling to Stachura who made no mistake with a low shot.
Stachura notched up her hat trick on 31 minutes with a finely worked goal where the Northern Irish craved up the Maltese defence and resulted in yet another excellent finish from the burly striker.
Malta’s woes were compounded a few minutes later when Nina Lee laudi had to be replaced after suffering what looked like a broken arm.
Malta opened strongly in the second half in a bid to reduce the deficit, but the pressure did not result in concrete shots on goal. Northern Ireland could have had a fourth on 67 minutes when Grace Mcallister shot into an empty net, but Kay Axiak cleared brilliantly off the line.
Malta: Katelyn Camilleri (Ezylana Degiorgio 74’), Sara Annelos Shaladi, Amy Catania, Krista Sacco, Edison Grixti, Alanah Ghio (Isabella Stringer), Nina Lee Naudi (Olivia Nazarko 39’), Amberley Borg (Ana Mercieca 46’), Erika Cini (Amy Portelli 35’), Lara Micallef (Kay Axiak 46’), Shanaia Mifsud (Alessandra Consili 35’)
Coach: Clint Tabone
Northern Ireland: Zara Mcavoy (Madison Bell 55’), Daisy Moore (Ruby Adair 74’), Grace Campbell, Lily-Brooke Wallace, Holly Hilton (Chloe Beckinsale 86’), Abbie Smyth (Aoife Gargan 74’), Heidi Curran (Charlotte Havern 86’), Emilee Leacock, Maja Stachura, Ava Hurl (Charlotte Flanagan 55’), Lauren Morrison
Coach: Danielle McDowell Tuffey
Referee: Mark Azzopardi
