Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.35 2021-22

Danske Bank NI Women’s Premiership

Cliftonville Ladies have opened up a lead of two points at the top of the table following an
8-0 victory against Mid Ulster Ladies at Solitude. Seven different players got on the
scoresheet, Marissa Callaghan opening the scoring after five minutes, before Louise
McDaniel bagged a brace and further goals came from Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Caitlin
McGuinness, Megan Moran, Abbie Magee and Kelsie Burrows.
Second placed Glentoran maintained their unbeaten record but were held to a 1-1 draw
by Sion Swifts, who stay five points behind them. Both goals came in a six minute spell
during the first half, Sion taking the lead through 18-year-old striker Cora Chambers and
Chloe McCarron equalising shortly afterwards.
Three goals in the final eleven minutes saw Linfield come from behind to win 3-1 away
to Derry City and go level on points with third placed Sion. Tara O’Connor put the
Candystripes ahead from the penalty
spot, midway through the first half, and P W D L F A Pts GD
CLIFTONVILLE LADIES 5 5 0 0 27 1 15 26
they held on to their lead until substitute GLENTORAN 5 4 1 0 20 3 13 17
Emily Reid equalised in the 79th SION SWIFTS 5 2 2 1 10 7 8 3
minute. Rhyleigh Marks then put LINFIELD LADIES 5 2 2 1 12 10 8 2
Linfield ahead for the first time and CRUSADERS STRIKERS 5 2 1 2 10 12 7 -2
DERRY CITY 5 0 2 3 2 13 2 -11
Ebony Leckey wrapped up the points LISBURN LADIES 5 0 1 4 3 19 1 -16
with the third goal in injury time. MID ULSTER LADIES 5 0 1 4 2 21 1 -19
Crusaders Strikers also
Crusaders 5 Lisburn 2; Cliftonville 8 Mid Ulster 0; Derry 1 Linfield 3;
returned to winning ways with a 5-2 Sion 1 Glentoran 1.
success against Lisburn Ladies.
Crusaders raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening sixteen minutes, courtesy of a brace
from Emily Wilson, and Beth Chalmers made it three on the stroke of half time. Lisburn
fought back after the break with Abbie Burnett and Sara Stevenson reducing the arrears, but
late goals from Darcy Boyle and Faith Johnston secured the three points for Crusaders.

Cardiff to stage key qualifier

Wales’ final 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round match will take place in the
Cardiff City Stadium, where Gemma Grainger’s side will take on Slovenia on Tuesday 6th
September (7.15 kick off).
Grainger’s side are looking to create history as Wales look to reach the play-offs for the
first time. With two games remaining, Wales are currently in second place in the group, and
will guarantee a spot in the play-offs if they can pick up four points in the remaining two
matches.
The last match they played at the Cardiff City Stadium saw a record attendance for the
side, with 5,455 fans supporting the side in a 4-0 win against Estonia last October. Grainger
and the players will hope to see the record broken once again in September, with the support
of the Red Wall being seen as key for the side as they attempt to cross the final hurdle of the
group stage.
Tickets for the match against Slovenia will go on sale on Monday 23rd May at
faw.cymru/tickets, with prices starting from only £2 (group bookings) and £4 (individual
bookings) for kids.
Venue and ticket information for the penultimate match, away to Greece on Friday
2nd September, will be announced in due course.
(faw.cymru)
Issue no. 35 - 19 May 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk