Page 10 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.18 2020-21

The top of the table clash in the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership fully lived up to its
billing as Cliftonville Ladies recovered from a bad start to beat reigning Champions
Glentoran 4-2 and open up a lead of five points.
Glentoran took the lead in the sixth minute through in-form striker Kerry Beattie and
just four minutes later, their lead was doubled by Casey Howe. However the Reds were able
to get back on track with a stunning spell of goals either side of half time. First, Louise
McDaniel scored a crucial goal shortly before half time to bring Cliftonville back into the
game ahead of the break and a minute after the restart, Caitlin McGuinness brought them
back on level terms. Momentum was now with Cliftonville and Kirsty McGuinness went on
to add two further goals to seal a crucial win over their previously unbeaten opponents.
Defeat for Glentoran meant that a win for Linfield would see them move above them
into second, which they duly did with a 3-1 victory over Derry City. However, this was a far
from straightforward win as the improving Candystripes took the lead just before the hour
through Lauren Cregan, after their goalkeeper Clare Friel had saved a first half penalty from
Alison Smyth. Derry’s lead lasted seven minutes before Rebecca McKenna equalised and a
second penalty this time saw Smyth convert from the spot, to put Linfield in front. Katie
Dickson sealed the points late on with the third goal.
Sion Swifts meanwhile got themselves off the mark as they shared a 2-2 draw with
Crusaders Strikers. A Danielle McDowell penalty and Emily Wilson saw Crusaders twice
take the lead but Sion battled back on each occasion, thanks to equalisers from Teegan Lynch
and Zara O’Hagan.
All six teams will be in action
P W D L F A Pts GD
again in the next round of fixtures next
CLIFTONVILLE LADIES 4 4 0 0 12 4 12 8
Wednesday, and leaders Cliftonville LINFIELD LADIES 4 2 1 1 9 5 7 4
Ladies will be aiming to stretch their GLENTORAN 4 2 1 1 7 5 7 2
winning run to five straight games when CRUSADERS STRIKERS 4 1 1 2 6 5 4 1
DERRY CITY 4 1 0 3 3 11 3 -8
they travel to Sion Swifts. All of the top SION SWIFTS 4 0 1 3 2 9 1 -7
three have away matches, as Linfield and
Glentoran will go to Crusaders Strikers Cliftonville 4 Glentoran 2; Linfield 3 Derry 1; Sion 2 Crusaders 2.
and Derry City respectively.

Following a consultation process with Championship clubs, a games programme was the
preferred playing format over June and July to conclude the 2020-21 season. As a result, the
Championship North and South has been provided a schedule of fixtures to the clubs who
opted to take part in this programme.
The programme will give teams seven rounds of fixtures commencing on Sunday 6th
June and concluding on Sunday 18th July. There will then be a break before the start of the
2021-22 Championship season.
Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) Chair, Vivienne MacLaren, said: “We are pleased
to be able to outline a structured programme for the Championship North and South teams.
This is off the back of working with the clubs and stakeholders, the results showing a
majority preference to participate in a games programme before the new season.
“For the majority of teams, it has been a very long time since their last matches and
I’m sure today’s news will be met with excitement. I want to wish everyone all the best for the
games ahead and for their preparation ahead of the 2021-22 season.”
(www.scotwomensfootball.com)
Issue no. 18 - 20 May 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk