GLENTORAN Women got their All-Island Cup campaign off to the perfect start with a deserved 1-0 victory over League of Ireland champions Athlone Town at the BetMcLean Oval.
A moment of real quality from Emily Wilson inside the opening four minutes was enough to separate the sides, with the Northern Ireland international racing onto a superb ball from defence and expertly lifting her finish over the Athlone Town goalkeeper.
The hosts showed real maturity and discipline throughout, with Nadene Caldwell orchestrating the midfield and Ashleigh McKinnon providing a safe pair of hands when called upon between the posts. Glentoran balanced resolute defending with intelligent counter-attacking football, keeping the visitors at bay despite spells of pressure.
Athlone pushed hard for an equaliser and the closing stages were filled with drama, as a foul incident outside the area sparked major protests. The visitors were eventually reduced to nine players following two red cards as Glentoran remained composed to see out an important opening victory.
Linfield Women kicked off their campaign with a visit to face Shelbourne at Tolka Park, losing 5-1 after taking the lead.
Ryan McGivern’s side moved in front on 37 minutes with a stunning turn and shot high into the top corner from Alexandra Clarke.
But the Shels hit back on 43 minutes with a leveller through Rebecca Devereux before Mackenzie Anthony edged them in front just before the break.
Maeve Wollmer extended the home advantage just before the hour, with a brace from Kate Mooney in the closing minutes adding to Shelbourne’s tally.
Cliftonville Ladies made the journey to take on cup holders Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The Reds also got off to a dream start when, after 10 minutes, Caitlin McGuinness fired them in front after being teed up by Marissa Callaghan. But Galway bounced back to win 2-1.
Emily Fitzgerald levelled for Galway midway through the first half with a left-foot finish across the face of goal.
And that was how it stayed until the fifth minute of added time when Kate Thompson bagged the winner for the hosts with a thumping effort in off the underside of the bar.
Lisburn Rangers wrapped the opening weekend up with a 5-0 defeat by Wexford at Crewe Park.
The League of Ireland raced into a commanding lead at the break thanks to a couple of goals from Ellen Molloy alongside strikes from Leah McGrath and Aoife Kelly before Molloy completed the scoring with her hat-trick goal early in the second half.
Group A
Shelbourne 5-1 Linfield
Sligo Rovers 1-1 Bohemians
Group B
Lisburn Rangers 0-5 Wexford
Shamrock Rovers 6-0 DLR Waves
Group C
Cork City 0-3 Peamount United
Galway United 2-1 Cliftonville
Group D
Glentoran 1-0 Athlone Town
Treaty United 0-0 Waterford
The tournament continues on May 24 with the following fixtures:-
Group A
Bohemians v Shelbourne
Linfield v Sligo Rovers
Group B
DLR Waves v Lisburn Rangers
Wexford v Shamrock Rovers
Group C
Cliftonville v Cork City
Peamount United v Galway United
Group D
Athlone Town v Treaty United
Waterford v Glentoran
In the VBET Womens League club, a 14th minute goal from Morgan Shannon gave Lisburn Ladies a 1-0 away win over Derry City Women.
Emily Wilson nets and celebrates (Pictures by JOHNNY CALDWELL)
Cliftonville line-up in Galway
