Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.2 2022-23

Cliftonville Ladies kept themselves firmly on course for the title with a 4-1 victiory
against Lisburn Ladies. The Reds were made to work hard for the points though, after
a goalless first half, Grace McKimm broke the deadlock six minutes after the restart and
she added a second on the hour. Vivienne McCormack did give Lisburn hope when she
pulled one back but goals in the last five minutes from Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Erin
Montgomery finally put the seal on a twelfth straight win for Cliftonville.
The win has taken Cliftonville ten points clear as second placed Glentoran were
held to a goalless draw by Crusaders Strikers. Glens striker Kerry Beattie was denied
in the second half when Maddy Harvey-Clifford saved her penalty, as Crues kept
themselves three points behind their opponents.
Linfield secured themselves in the top half of the table as they won 2-1 at Sion
Swifts. Rachel McConnell and Carla
P W D L F A Pts GD
Devine scored the goals for Linfield, CLIFTONVILLE LADIES 12 12 0 0 56 4 36 52
before Kerry Brown reduced the GLENTORAN 11 8 2 1 38 7 26 31
arrears for the home side late on. CRUSADERS STRIKERS 12 7 2 3 27 18 23 9
LINFIELD LADIES 13 6 2 5 30 24 20 6
It was at the twelfth time of asking SION SWIFTS 12 5 2 5 22 20 17 2
but Mid Ulster Ladies have LISBURN LADIES 13 2 2 9 13 41 8 -28
celebrated their first victory in the top MID ULSTER LADIES 12 1 1 10 9 43 4 -34
DERRY CITY 11 0 3 8 2 39 3 -37
flight since promotion. Eimear
McGarrity scored a goal in each half as Cliftonville 4 Lisburn 1; Crusaders 0 Glentoran 0; Derry 0 Mid Ulster
Mid Ulster won 2-0 away to Derry 2; Sion 1 Linfield 2.
City, a result which takes them off the
bottom of the table at the expense of the Candystripes.

Holders Glentoran comfortably progressed into the last four of the Electric Ireland
Women’s Challenge Cup on Friday thanks to a comprehensive win over Ballyclare
Comrades Ladies. The Glens eased to a 7-0 success at Dixon Park and they were three
up at the break thanks to goals from Jen McDade, Kerry Beattie and Caragh Hamilton.
It was one-way traffic in the second half with Joely Andrews netting from 20 yards
before Beattie netted her second of the night from the spot.
Andrews and Hamilton rounded off the scoring when they secured a brace each to
help see the East Belfast side through to the semifinals.
There were goals galore in north Belfast as league leaders Cliftonville Ladies
saw off Linfield Ladies with an emphatic 7-1 success. Six of the their seven goals came
courtesy of Northern Ireland senior internationals with Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Danielle
Maxwell, Caitlin McGuinness (2), Kirsty McGuinness and Grace McKimm all finding
the net. Erin Montgomery was also on target for the Reds with Rebecca Bassett claiming
the Blues’ consolation.
On Thursday evening, 2021’s beaten finalists Crusaders Strikers secured an 8-0
success over newly promoted Larne Women. Goals from Jess Rea (2), Mairead
McCann, Leontia McVarnock, Leah McAvoy, Darcy Boyle, Caitlyn Hamilton and Emily
Wilson secured victory at Seaview.
Following St James' Swifts withdrawal from the competition, Sion Swifts
progress to the semi finals stage.
(irishfa.com)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk