NORTHERN Ireland move one step closer to keeping their League B place as they defeat Montenegro 2-0 in the first leg of the Nations League play-off.
After a shaky start which saw the home side have a huge chance when Armisa Kuc’s headed just over when she found space in the box in the opening seconds, it was a dominant first half display from Northern Ireland.
Lauren Wade, Sarah McFadden and Danielle Maxwell all had opportunities, but failed to test stopper Anastasjia Rexhepi with their efforts.
However, as the first half went on, they struggled to keep the same tempo and the chances came more at a premium.
The away side started the second half with intent with Demi Vance’s curling strike from just outside the box looking destined to open the scoring on the 63rd minute, but Rexhepi impressively palmed the strike away.
Northern Ireland’s patience paid off and they broke the deadlock on the 70th minute when Vance’s delivery was headed into the bottom corner by striker Wade.
The goals weren’t done there as in the final minute of normal time Glentoran star Vance nodded Rebecca McKenna’s delivery past Rexhepi to write her name in the history books by scoring Northern Ireland’s 200th senior women’s goal and to give them a comfortable advantage going into Tuesdays home fixture at Windsor Park (KO 19:00 GMT).
