GLENTORAN Women maintained their push for the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title with a vital 1–0 victory over Linfield at Midgley Park.
Aimee Kerr’s first-half strike, in the 36th minute, proved decisive as Kim Turner’s side battled to three crucial points that keep them two clear of Cliftonville ahead of next weekend’s title decider between the teams.
The Glens started brightly and carved out several early openings through the pace of Emily Wilson and Kascie Weir in attack.
Their persistence paid off on 36 minutes when Kerr was first to react inside the penalty area, steering the ball beyond the Linfield goalkeeper to give Glentoran a deserved lead.
Linfield rallied after the break and pressed hard for an equaliser, but Glentoran’s defence stood strong, with Jess Foy and Joely Andrews outstanding at the back and goalkeeper Ellie Scott producing an excellent save late on to secure the clean sheet.
The win means Glentoran remain top of the table and know that a draw in next Sunday’s final fixture against Cliftonville at the Blanchflower Stadium would be enough to reclaim the title.
Both sides have been beaten just once this season, each losing their respective home games in this fixture, setting up a dramatic finale to decide where the Women’s Premiership trophy will reside for the next 12 months.
Linfield Women: Currie, McMaster, Sweetlove, Fitzsimmons, Chambers, Bell, K. Loughrey, Knox, Breen, McDade, J. Loughrey. Subs: Mitchell, Doherty, Bassett, Myles, Kerr, McQuillan, Reilly
Glentoran Women: McKinnon, Loughran, Foy, McMaster, Keenan, Caldwell, Kerr, Vance, Wilson, Weir, Crompton. Subs: Rogan, Butler, McKnight, Moore, Bailie, McKearney, Maguire
