THE Sports Direct Women’s Premiership roared back after a short break with a big night of action that blew the title race wide open amid huge victories for Cliftonville Ladies, Linfield Women, Crusaders Strikers and Derry City Women.
Cliftonville inflicted a first defeat of the campaign upon Glentoran Women in the big game at Blanchflower Stadium.
Scoreless at the break, the Reds moved in front on 50 minutes when Caitlin McGuinness collected a throw-in from Aoibhe O’Neill before firing past keeper Ashleigh McKinnon from outside the area with her right foot.
And that was how it stayed until a minute from time when Women’s Premiership Player of the Month Naomi McLaughlin added a second for the defending champions with a sensational finish from around 15 yards.
Linfield moved back to the top of the table following a crushing defeat of Larne Women at Midgley Park.
The Blues needed just three minutes to seize the advantage when Eve Reilly found the net, with Jennifer McDade doubling up after a quarter-of-an-hour.
Reilly struck again with two more goals in as many minutes midway through the first half to claim her hat-trick, with Zoe McGlynn adding another as the Blues went in at the break five goals to the good.
The scoring continued on 51 minutes through Hannah Doherty, followed by a Cora Chambers double and an Alex Clarke finish all before the hour. Rebecca Bassett then completed the scoring on 67 minutes.
Crusaders Strikers stormed to a five goal defeat of Lisburn Rangers at Crewe Park.
The visitors led at half-time courtesy of goals from Julie Nelson and Rebecca Mann midway through the first half.
Michelle McDaid then popped with a double on 67 and 74 minutes before Rachel McLaren wrapped the scoring up in the closing moments.
Meanwhile, a goal in each half helped Derry City Women to victory over Lisburn Ladies at the Bluebell Stadium.
The Candystripes held the advantage at the break after Caoirse Doherty edged them in front inside the opening ten minutes.
The visitors then doubled up with just under a quarter-of-an-hour of normal time remaining when Rachel McIntyre made sure of the points.
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | FORM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linfield Women | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 11 | 28 | 19 | LWWWW |
| 2 | Glentoran Women | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 6 | 21 | 18 | WWWWL |
| 3 | Cliftonville Ladies | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 4 | 15 | 16 | WWWLW |
| 4 | Crusaders Strikers | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 12 | WLLLW |
| 5 | Lisburn Rangers | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 12 | WWLWL |
| 6 | Derry City Women | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 9 | WLLLW |
| 7 | Lisburn Ladies | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 21 | -17 | 3 | LLLLL |
| 8 | Larne Women | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 43 | -41 | 0 | LLLLL |
Linfield hat-trick hero Eve Reilly
Glens v Reds action (below)
PICTURES BY DAMIEN TOOLAN
Lisburn Rangers v Crusaders Strikers (below)
PICTURES BY PAUL HARVEY
