Maik Taylor should have been celebrating his 34th birthday on Sunday, but the Northern Ireland goalkeeper was preparing as normal for the World Cup qualifier against England on Wednesday.

Taylor cannot wait for the glamour game to start for both professional and personal reasons. Northern Ireland go into the match with renewed confidence after ending a four-year run without a competitive win by beating Azerbaijan.

And it is a big night as well for Taylor's two sons - Joseph, seven, and Oliver, six - who will be mascots at the game in Windsor Park.

Taylor said: "We have nothing to fear against England. We can enjoy it and have a right good go at them.

"You could see the confidence grow in our team after we made the breakthrough. We were a bit on edge in the first 10-15 minutes as we were expected to get a victory. But it is never that easy as our previous results show. But we gave a thoroughly professional performance and it was a job well done."

Stuart Elliott opened the scoring in the 60th minute with a superb 20-yard free-kick and then, with David Healy struggling with a slight thigh strain, Warren Feeney stepped off the bench to add a second.

The Luton striker grabbed the ball from Elliott to score from the penalty spot for his first goal in his seventh appearance. Taylor was delighted they could finally give the supporters something to savour.

"I have never seen fans like them wherever I have played," said the Birmingham keeper. "They are unbelievable. They were magnificent and helped spur us on. It has been a long wait and they have been behind us apart from one or two short spells."

The result came at the end of a difficult week, which saw Cardiff midfielders Jeff Whitley and Phil Mulryne banished from the squad for breaking a curfew.

Curiously it could have worked in the team's favour, according to manager Lawrie Sanchez.

"I have always wanted players who are committed beyond lip service. Coming away from your family for 10 days and into a strange environment is not an easy ride. This group though are committed," he said.

"If one or two are lost on the way but it makes us more professional I will accept that. When you send two of your players way from the hotel it is not something you want to do.

"Sometimes, though, the chaos works for a team in that it concentrates your mind on what the job is.

"It is about being professional and preparing correctly.

Sanchez is now savouring pitting his wits against Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"We're not expected to win as we are 100-odd places below them in the Fifa rankings," he added. "We can relax and be professional. All the fans are looking forward to watching the superstars but they also want to see their team give a good display."