Page 18 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1(1) 2021-22

Danske Bank NI Women’s Premiership

The top two remain locked on points at the top of the Danske Bank NI Women’s
Premiership, with three matches left to play, after both recorded victories in the latest
round of fixtures.
Glentoran Ladies remain as leaders following their 2-0 victory away to
Crusaders Strikers. The first half was goalless but three minute after the restart, Kerry
Beattie volleyed the Glens in front and Beattie then turned provider for a late second goal,
scored by Joely Andrews, to put the seal on three precious points.
Cliftonville Ladies meanwhile stay level on points with Glentoran as they
scored nine times without reply past Derry City. Caitlin McGuinness opened the scoring
in the opening minute for the Reds and she went on to find the net five times in total,
whilst sister Kirsty McGuinness weighed in with a hat-trick. Marissa Callaghan also got
on the scoresheet to help Cliftonville pep up their title challenge.
There were plenty of goals on offer in the other game as well at Linfield where
visitors Sion Swifts won a thrilling game 4-3. However, it looked at one stage as though
Linfield were on course for the points,
taking a first half lead through Rebecca P W D L F A Pts GD
Bassett which was cancelled out by GLENTORAN 17 14 1 2 60 13 43 47
CLIFTONVILLE LADIES 17 14 1 2 63 21 43 42
Aimee Neal, and then a Katie Dickson CRUSADERS STRIKERS 17 8 1 8 28 25 25 3
double put Linfield 3-1 up by the hour. SION SWIFTS 17 6 1 10 28 33 19 -5
Two goals in a four minute spell from LINFIELD LADIES 17 4 2 11 29 50 14 -21
DERRY CITY 17 2 0 15 11 77 6 -66
Cora Chambers brought Sion back on
level terms and Caoirse Doherty Cliftonville 9 Derry 0; Crusaders 0 Glentoran 2; Linfield 3 Sion 4.
completed the comeback when she
grabbed the winner with four minutes
remaining.
Glentoran and Crusaders reach Cup Final
Holders Glentoran Women will meet Crusaders Strikers in the final of the Electric Ireland
Women's Challenge Cup at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on October
15th.
The Glens came from behind to defeat Cliftonville Ladies in Bangor while the
Crues got the better of Sion Swifts Ladies at Mill Meadow in Castledawson.
Glentoran, holders since 2018, continued their defence of the trophy despite
falling behind to a Kirsty McGuinness strike around the half-hour mark at Clandeboye
Park. However, Emma McMaster levelled just before the break with her first goal of the
season.
The Reds might have regained the lead early in the second half from the spot but
McGuinness' penalty was well saved by Glentoran keeper Ashleigh McKinnon who dived
to her left to keep the scores even.
It proved to be a pivotal moment in the game when, with less than 20 minutes
remaining, Lauren Wade knocked home what proved to be Glentoran's winner.
At Mill Meadow, a goal early in each half ultimately handed Crusaders victory over
the Swifts. Lisa Armour opened the scoring on three minutes with a header from a corner,
but Erin McLaughlin levelled for Sion just before the break.
The winner for the Strikers arrived on 49 minutes in spectacular fashion from
Jessica Rea, who sent a screamer into the top corner from outside the box.
(irishfa.com)
Issue no. 1 - 2 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk