THE Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup is down to the last eight following Friday’s second round ties.
Holders Glentoran Women continued their defence of the trophy with victory over Linfield Women by the odd goal in three at the Blanchflower Stadium.
The Glens moved in front just after the half-hour mark through skipper Jess Foy, an advantage they held going in at the break before Rhianna Breen levelled for the Blues within a minute of the restart.
However, in what was an evenly poised tie, the outcome was ultimately settled with less than a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Nadene Caldwell popped up to bag Glentoran’s winner.
Mid Ulster Ladies also progressed to the quarter-finals with a four-goal defeat of Antrim Town Women at Allen Park.
The Premiership side opened the scoring on nine minutes courtesy of Aimee McClure’s dipping effort from distance over keeper Orlagh Mullin before doubling their advantage midway through the first half when Jessica Magee got on the end of Aoibhin Gallen’s excellent pass.
The scoring continued moments later after Niamh O’Donnell went on a slaloming run from inside her own half and through the home defence before finding the net with a superb left-foot strike.
Gallen then completed the scoring just after the hour with a fine finish after some deft footwork in the box.
Cliftonville Ladies, last season’s losing finalists, hit five goals without reply past Lisburn Ladies in an all-Premiership clash at Solitude.
Danielle Maxwell opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a side foot finish into the far corner, with Marissa Callaghan adding a second on 33 minutes with an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net from fully 35 yards.
Louise McDaniel’s close range volley added to Cliftonville’s tally soon while, early in the second half, Carla Devine made it four with a cracking shot with the outside of her foot. Callaghan then wrapped the goals up later in the game with her second of the evening, a header from Maxwell’s cross.
Crusaders Strikers are also through following a comfortable defeat of Greenisland Women at Glenkeen Avenue.
Early goals from Alison McMaster and Emily Reid put the Strikers in a strong position with less than 20 minutes on the clock.
Beth Chalmers made it 3-0 early in the second half, and although Janey Clements pulled one back for the home side after the hour the visitors finished strong with four goals in the closing six minutes to well and truly kill the game off.
Rachel McLaren started the goal flurry on 84 minutes, substitute Lucy Kelly followed up moments after that, Morganne Beggs then struck with a couple of minutes to go before, right at the end, Kelly registered again.
However, Derry City turned out to be the top scorers of the round with an emphatic away win over Civil Service Ladies.
Tara O’Connor-Farren got the ball rolling with a brace after barely a quarter-of-an-hour had elapsed, with Ciara McAleer, Ellen McDermott and Shantell Temple also scoring in the first half.
Chelsea Sheerin kept up the momentum with a couple for herself early in the second half – one of four she went on to score – while O’Connor-Farren went one better with another three to bring her personal tally to five!
Clarah Quigg and Shania McMonagle also found the net on a memorable night for the Candystripes.
Larne Women, Lisburn Rangers Ladies and Bangor Ladies make up the remainder of the quarter-final line-up after their respective opponents withdrew from the competition.
