The England fans are getting giddy and liking what they have seen so far. The England Band are here too and there's a decent atmosphere building. All we need now is a goal.

Jenna Schillaci
Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

How many times have you seen Ellen White make that run to the front post? She connect well but she's put it just inches over the bar.

In comes a dangerous ball from Beth Mead and Ellen White hits it first time, but it's just over.

Ella Toone has her first sniff at goal. Her early shot is on target, but it's pretty weak and it's easily gathered by Suarta Dervishi.

But the 20-year-old goalkeeper doesn't have much time to recover as the Lionesses burst forward again. This time it's Lauren Hemp who drifts in a cross towards the back post, but there's nobody there to get on the end of it.

Jenna Schillaci
Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

I think the way North Macedonia have set up, with five in midfield, the space is in the wide channels up top with Hemp and Mead. At the minute they are having a lot of luck in those areas.

England are wearing black armbands tonight in memory of Rachel Daly's father, Martyn Daly, who sadly passed away last week and was a huge supporter of the team.

Image source, Getty Images

There's a bit of a scramble in the box from the corner as the ball eventually falls to Millie Bright, but the Chelsea defender scuffs her shot high and wide.

No messing here.

It's a sign of things to come as Rachel Daly makes a run down the right wing before whipping in a cross towards the back post. Lauren Hemp has acres of space and heads over. It comes off the Macedonian defender and England have their first corner.

Jenna Schillaci
Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Image source, Getty Images

We can expect England to have most, if not all of the possession. It is a chance for them to get confidence and to be creative on the ball and to punish them. We expect lots of goals and for it to be kept tight at the back.

There's a huge applause inside St Mary's as both teams take the knee before Georgia Stanway gets us under way.

The anthems are done and dusted.

There are a few North Macedonia fans in the crowd but they are outnumbered here on the south coast.

Leah Williamson leads the Lionesses group huddle as kick-off looms.

Injured defender Steph Houghton said earlier this week it was "like "starting fresh under new manager Sarina Wiegman.

The Lionesses lost their two most recent friendlies against Canada and France under interim boss Hege Riise.

"It’s a clean slate for everybody," said Houghton.

"Of course results after the World Cup weren’t up to our standards and not what is expected of an England team and there were performances that were below par but it’s all about trying to go out and play our football.

"We have some exceptional players - some exceptional young players - there’s going to be a lot more energy about us and it’s a chance to impress the new manager."

Image source, Getty Images

Jenna Schillaci
Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

"She [England boss Wiegman] is a proven winner, both player and manager.

"With new management comes new ideas and some of the players are out here to earn their spots. It is a clean slate for everyone.

"There is no secret that they want to improve on recent inconsistencies and improve on their performances."

Manchester City defender Demi Stokes, who starts tonight, says the Lionesses are looking forward to adopting new England boss Sarina Wiegman's style of play.

"As it's early days, we are still a work in progress," said Stokes.

"But we are all excited by Sarina's style and what she's about and what she wants.

"When someone new comes in and it's a new set of eyes and a different outlook, you have to try and think 'what can I learn from this coach?' and 'what can I get from this management team?'

"We want to win, first and foremost; then as the ball gets rolling and there are more games and it gets closer to the tournament, the pressure will be ramped up and I'm sure she will come in and demand high standards from everyone."

Image source, Reuters

As always you can join in the chat on tonight's game by tweeting us on #bbcfootball, or by texting 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply).

The teams are in the tunnel and about to make their way out. Kick-off is just five minutes away.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

You can follow tonight's action all right here, with live text commentary as well as online radio coverage from BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.

Head to the top of the page and hit the play button to tune in.

Speaking of fans, how good is to see them back?

Around 10,000 are expected to turn out for tonight's game.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The Lionesses return to Southampton's St Mary's Stadium tonight, three and a half years on from the team’s last visit to the south coast.

As they play in front of fans on home soil for the first time in nearly two years, England are looking to bounce back from defeats in their last two friendlies against Canada and France back in April.

Image source, Getty Images

New Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman said England want to make the fans proud during her first match in charge.

She said: "Of course the priority is to win. We want to have good wins and score a lot of goals.

"We also want to concede none. We want to show how good we can play and make the English crowd proud of us."

"I've seen many things [in training]. An enormous and great work ethic," Wiegman added.

"I'm very excited to be working with the team but they work so hard that sometimes we have to tell them to slow down a little bit. There's a lot of quality and they are going for it and wanting to do really well.

"Hopefully we can show that on the pitch."

Image source, PA