'He just believes in us' - Two-goal Northern Ireland scorer Ellie Mason highlights manager Michael McArdle's early influence
Ellie Mason celebrated her goal brace in Malta with praise for Northern Ireland senior women’s boss Michael McArdle who “just believes in us”.
Recently-appointed McArdle wrapped up a Women’s World Cup qualifier double over Malta on Saturday evening with a 4-2 win to follow up the previous 4-0 success in Lurgan.
Mason was joined on the Northern Ireland scoresheet by Natalie Johnson and Leyla McFarland.
"I think he’s really good, he just believes in us,” said Mason on the official Northern Ireland social media platforms. “He lets us go and enjoy the football on the pitch
“We’re really comfortable with that and I think it shows over the last two games what we can do under him.
“It’s been a great camp and a lot of goals scored as well, so it’s really really good.”
Charlton’s Mason headed home her first international goal from a corner to open the scoring in the 40th minute at the Centenary Stadium but saw the effort almost immediately cancelled out.
Ponderous defending allowed Maria Farrugia to pounce and she beat Bristol City team-mate Jackie Burns in the away goal.
Mason restored her side’s lead with an excellent strike from 20 yards and Johnson gave some breathing room with another headed effort from Danielle Maxwell’s delivery.
Rebecca Holloway was sent off for a second yellow card at 3-1 but McFarland added a fourth after her dismissal.
Leah Ayres pulled one back for Malta but it was too little, too late for the hosts.
"I was absolutely buzzing,” added Mason. “Header...it just came to me, I was like ‘I’ve got to get this, I was literally clear on goal’.
"The second one I just saw it coming to me and I thought ‘I’m going to go for it and I did’.
"So I’m really, really happy.”
The full Northern Ireland senior women’s squad:
NORTHERN IRELAND: Jackie Burns, Lauren Perry, Abbie Smith, Rebecca Holloway, Rebecca McKenna, Abi Sweetlove, Natalie Johnson, Ellie Mason, Laura Rafferty, Louise McDaniel, Brenna McPartlan, Nadene Caldwell, Aimee Kerr, Megan Bell, Leyla McFarland, Joely Andrews, Lauren Wade, Keri Halliday, Caragh Hamilton, Kascie Weir, Danielle Maxwell, Casey Howe, Cora Chambers