CRUSADERS Strikers and Derry City Women both picked up away wins as the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership continued into the third week of the new campaign.
Strikers moved level on points at the top with a 2-0 victory over Lisburn Ladies at the Bluebell Stadium.
Although scoreless at half-time in a closely fought affair both sides could have gone in at the break on top.
Caitlyn Hamilton came closest for the Crues with a shot that looked destined for the top corner only for it to be well saved by Zara Maguire while, at the other end, Katherine O’Hare’s effort with the outside of her boot from outside the area was denied by Maddy Harvey-Clifford.
However, the deadlock was finally broken on 57 minutes when substitute Alison McMaster – only the pitch a matter of minutes – edged the visitors in front before, nine minutes after that, Beth Chalmers knocked home a second to secure the points for Jonny Tuffey’s side.
And it was a good night, too, for Derry City as they defeated Larne Women 4-0 at Inver Park to pick up their first win of the campaign.
The Candystripes needed just seven minutes to open the scoring when Cache Crumlin-Hawes turned home a tap in after Rachel McIntyre took the ball down the right and past a couple of defenders before laying it off.
McIntyre got on the scoresheet herself around the half-hour mark.
Ellie Redden was provider on this occasion, again with a delivery from the right, for McIntyre to double the visitors’ lead.
City then extended their lead just after the hour mark when Caoimhe Walsh found the net from a corner before, in stoppage time, Tara O’Connor-Farren wrapped up the scoring.
The action continues on Saturday afternoon with the second round of Women’s All Island Cup group games.
Linfield Women kick the day off when they welcome Sligo Rovers to Midgely Park (2pm) while, at Solitude, Cliftonville Ladies host Cork City, kick-off 3pm.
Glentoran Women are on the road to take on Waterford with Lisburn Rangers also on their travels with a trip to Dún Laoghaire to face DLR Waves.
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glentoran Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 6 | WW |
| 2 | Crusaders Strikers | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | WLW |
| 3 | Cliftonville Ladies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | DW |
| 4 | Linfield Women | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | DW |
| 5 | Lisburn Rangers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | WL |
| 6 | Derry City Women | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | LLW |
| 7 | Lisburn Ladies | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 | LWL |
| 8 | Larne Women | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | -11 | 0 | LLL |
Crues v Lisburn Ladies action, below
Derry celebrate
