THE three-way battle at the top of the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership shows no signs of abating after Glentoran Women, Cliftonville Ladies and Lisburn Rangers all won again following the latest round of Friday night action.
Defending champions Glentoran continue to lead the way following a six-goal demolition of Crusaders Strikers at Seaview.
Jenna McKearney opened the scoring after a quarter-of-an-hour with a superbly struck first time effort from the left, before Rachel Rogan doubled up just over 10 minutes later with a placed finish beyond the home keeper.
Demi Vance then got in on the act a few minutes after that with a cool and composed finish just inside the left post. Rogan grabbed her second of the evening early in the second half after taking a touch to turn the ball home at the right post.
That was how it stayed until the closing few minutes when Vance also hit her second with a cracking finish from the left followed by a goal of the season contender from Kelly Crompton on her debut for the club.
Staying in north Belfast, Cliftonville hit five without reply past Mid Ulster Ladies at Solitude.
Carla Devine was the star of the night for the Reds with a superb hat-trick, opening the scoring with two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half – the first from six yards after being teed up by Kirsty McGuinness, and the second following a period of further pressure.
Caitlin McGuinness added to Cliftonville’s lead on the stroke of half-time, before Toni-Leigh Finnegan hit number four not long after the interval.
However, Devine made sure she’d be going home with the match ball late on with a great finish from Caitlin McGuinness’ lay-off.
Lisburn Rangers hit Derry City Women for six at Crewe Park. Scoreless at the break, Rangers moved in front on 49 minutes through Molly Loughran before really turning the screw on their opponents with a blistering eight-minute four-goal scoring spree just after the hour.
Sophie Kelly-Bradley kicked it all off on 62 minutes, Gracie Conway added Rangers’ third soon after, Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland converted from the spot barely a couple of minutes later with substitute Amy Burden also getting on the scoresheet to complete a remarkable spell.
Indeed, Burden found the net again late on before Tara O’Connor-Farren bagged a stoppage time consolation for the Candystripes.
Meanwhile, there was late drama as Lisburn Ladies defeated Larne Women at the Bluebell Stadium.
Lisburn led at the break courtesy of Abbie Burnett’s 13th minute opener after slipping through the defence, but Larne hit back to level midway through the second half following Kirsty Cameron’s chipped finish over keeper Jessica Poots.
However, just as it looked like the points would be shared, Stacey Murdough popped up with an 84th minute free-kick to secure a narrow victory for the home side.
Jenna McKearney celebrates her Glentoran opener
Lisburn Rangers goal celebrations (above and below)
Cliftonville v Mid Ulster Ladies action (above) and Reds goal celebration (below)
Glens goal rush continues
