THE CHORUS FROM THE TERRACES reflected the mood at Windsor Park. “Bring on the English,” the throng of green shirts that represented the Northern Ireland supporters sang on Saturday. Intoxicated by a first serious victory in four years, inflated by an unfamiliar buoyancy, they were entitled to gloat with more than a hint of irony that England should not pose too much of a problem in Belfast on Wednesday evening.

The reality, of course, suggests a different story will unfold but this World Cup qualifying group six win was a moment to cherish.

As well as being mightily relieved, Lawrie Sanchez, the manager, can feel a sense of vindication after banishing Jeff Whitley and Philip Mulryne from the squad for a breach of curfew last week. True, Azerbaijan were pitiful and their wooden spoon position in the group is more or less secure. Yet in every respect, this was a landmark three points.

Not since September 2001, with a resounding 3-0 defeat of Iceland in a World Cup qualifier, have the Irish celebrated a competitive success on home turf. It was Sanchez’s first win in 11 games and for Warren Feeney, a second-half substitute, there was a first goal in his fourth international as the Luton Town forward converted the 85th-minute penalty, awarded after the sprightly Keith Gillespie had been upended.

That settled any lingering doubts and it also settled a family dispute of sorts. Feeney’s father, also called Warren and a former Northern Ireland player, still lays claim to a disputed effort in a 1-1 draw with Israel in 1976 that has been recorded as an own goal. “My Dad has been pulling my leg a bit,” Feeney Jr said. “First of all it was I have one more cap than you, then it was I have one more goal than you. So I think we are even now but I don’t think it will shut him up — nothing will ever shut him up.”

As Azerbaijan’s discipline crumbled, Stuart Elliott’s left-footed free kick, nicely flighted over the wall from 20 yards, brought the vital lead on the hour mark. Shades of a David Beckham, some quarters suggested. But there the comparisons with the England captain must end. None of which deterred Elliott in marking the occasion with gusto. “If the gate had been open at the end of the ground, I’d probably still be running around the streets of Belfast,” the Hull City forward said. “We are capable of beating England on Wednesday. Hopefully they won’t enjoy the game too much.

“Tickets are like gold, you just can’t get them. It’s like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The atmosphere here is going to be electric.”

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