\n<\/p>\n
Six games without a win or clean sheet and four games without a goal, it’s been a tough time for Northern Ireland women at both ends of the pitch.<\/b><\/p>\n
Nevertheless, there look to be obvious fixes for new boss Michael McArdle to improve on recent fortunes and get this team in transition back on track as they look to secure a play-off for the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n
They clearly have work to do, particularly when it comes to scoring goals.<\/p>\n
Under interim boss Kris Lindsay, Northern Ireland were fairly solid in defeats against Switzerland and Turkey, with an individual error against the latter from Lauren Perry gifting the visitors a victory.<\/p>\n
There seems to be a solid base to build on in that regard, but at the other end of the pitch it is a different story.<\/p>\n
They had just one shot on target against the Swiss and two at home against Turkey.<\/p>\n
With captain and star striker Simone Magill absent from this World Cup qualifying campaign as she is expecting her first child, McArdle must find others to shoulder the goalscoring burden.<\/p>\n
In his first squad he has turned to uncapped 22-year-old striker Cora Chambers alongside Glentoran teenager Kascie Weir.<\/p>\n
Linfield forward Chambers formed a deadly partnership with Eve Reilly for the Blues in the Women’s Premiership last season, registering 20 goals, and McArdle was keen to reward her consistent form since moving to the club in 2024 with her goal tally standing at 39 in just 47 appearances.<\/p>\n
“Excitement, I think that’s certainly an immediate observation [of Cora],” the new boss told BBC Sport NI.<\/p>\n
“Looking ahead to Malta, there’s a focus on the front end of the pitch. Cora is definitely a player that over the last two years in the league has shown real strength in her outcomes and consistent performances and it’s one of those ones that it’s easy to reward that.<\/p>\n
“Really excited by Cora and I think that the energy that she can add is slightly different to what we already have and certainly it’s a reward for her hard work over the last couple of seasons at club.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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