Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.3 2022-23

Glentoran came from a goal behind to beat Cliftonville Ladies 3-1 and breathe new life into
the Danske Bank NI Women’s Premiership title race. Victory would have all but assured the
Reds the title and, after a goalless first half, Toni-Leigh Finnegan put them ahead just before the
hour.
The Glens drew level five minutes later through Nadene Caldwell and after Emma
McMaster then gave them the lead, Caragh Hamilton wrapped up a crucial win for her side in
injury time.
Crusaders Strikers consolidated themselves in third place, thanks to a 4-1 victory
against Mid Ulster Ladies. Again, all of the goals came in the second half, Emily Wilson
putting the Crues in front and Sharagh Murphy levelling on the hour. Wilson restored
Crusaders’ lead with ten minutes left and they went on to seal the points with late strikes from
Leontia McVarnock and Amy McGivern.
Sion Swifts moved up to fourth P W D L F A Pts GD
following their eight-goal blast against CLIFTONVILLE LADIES 13 12 0 1 57 7 36 50
Derry City. Cora Chambers led the GLENTORAN 12 9 2 1 41 8 29 33
scoring for Sion with a hat-trick and she CRUSADERS STRIKERS 13 8 2 3 31 19 26 12
was joined on the scoresheet by Kerry LINFIELD LADIES 14 7 2 5 32 25 23 7
SION SWIFTS 13 6 2 5 30 20 20 10
Brown, Aimee Neal, Caoirse Doherty, LISBURN LADIES 14 2 2 10 14 43 8 -29
Naomi Donnan and Kelly Crompton. MID ULSTER LADIES 13 1 1 11 10 47 4 -37
On Wednesday night, Linfield DERRY CITY 12 0 3 9 2 47 3 -45
Ladies regained their place in the top
Crusaders 4 Mid Ulster 1; Glentoran 3 Cliftonville 1; Sion 8 Derry 0;
half by beating Lisburn Ladies 2-1.
Linfield 2 Lisburn 1.
After Vivienne McCormack had given
Lisburn the lead, Linfield turned the match around in the second half with goals from Emily
Reid and Ebony Leckey.

There were mixed fortunes for the British clubs in the UEFA Women’s Champions League as
Arsenal booked their place in the group stages, but Rangers went out despite a great effort in
the second leg of their tie.
Arsenal were first in action as they travelled to Ajax Amsterdam, having been held to a 2-2
draw in the first leg. In awful weather conditions, Arsenal needed to weather an early storm on
the pitch, as well as losing central defender Rafaelle Souza to injury, but went into half time
with a goalless scoreline and much to play for.
The breakthrough came eight minutes after the restart as Vivianne Miedema produced a
clinical finish with a shot on the turn which found the corner of the net.
Ajax pushed for an equaliser but Arsenal were never really troubled and Caitlin Foord
went close to doubling their lead late on. Arsenal were forced to finish the game with ten
players after Beth Mead went off following a clash of heads but they held out for a hard earned
1-0 win.
Rangers meanwhile travelled to Benfica looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg
and got the goal they wanted with just two minutes remaining, Emma Watson forcing the ball
home following a corner.
This took the game into extra time but within two minutes of the restart, Benfica levelled
the score on the night and went back in front on aggregate when Cloe Lacasse scored following
a strong run down the left.
Kirsty Howat was inches away from scoring with a header but with Rangers forced to push
forward, Benfica inevitably looked dangerous on the counter attack and they broke Rangers
hearts with seconds remaining when Jessica Silva scored to put the tie beyond their reach.
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