Sion Swifts Ladies star Kirsty McGuinness believes her side’s dramatic 4-3 win over Glentoran Women on Wednesday can kickstart their campaign.
The Strabane-based side had lost at Crusaders the previous week and were 3-1 down at home to the Glens with 13 minutes remaining before three goals in eight minutes turned the tie on its head.
McGuinness scored the last two for Sion after her sister Caitlin had given the hosts hope with a well-taken strike.
“It was great to get the result in the end, especially having been 3-1 down,” Kirsty explained after the game.
“The girls never gave up and we never say die.
“This is a very young team but we are very hungry - and our confidence will be flying after a performance like that, we have to keep up that momentum.”
Sion boss Tony McGinley admitted he was “over the moon” with the result and praised his player’s work ethic.
“We’re still learning a lot about this team, which is new and very young,” said McGinley.
“We had four 17-year-olds on that pitch and it was going to take an unbelievable effort to beat a Glentoran team who were riding the crest of a wave coming down here.
“To come from two goals down with 20 minutes to go is even better - the players worked their socks off, left nothing in the tank and the results come from that.
“I’m over the moon.”
Linfield boss Phil Lewis admitted his side’s victory over Cliftonville was important predicted an incredibly competitive Danske Bank Women’s Premiership this term.
Lewis’s Blues are one of four teams locked at the top of the standings on six points after the opening three rounds of matches.
“It was a really tight affair, especially in the first half when neither team really imposed themselves on the game,” said Lewis.
“But in the second half we came into the game more and dictated proceedings, we made a couple of substitutions to shake things up.
“Cora Morgan played her first 90 minutes tonight and scored an amazing long-range strike, with Ashley Hutton doing well to come off the bench and make the game safe.
“Cliftonville gave us a really good game and in such a tight league this season, this result is important.”
Crusaders are now the only team in the league to win each of their last two matches following an emphatic five-goal victory at Derry City.
Despite taking 36 minutes to break the deadlock, Crues boss Spike Hill revealed how a few tactical tweaks allowed his side to take control of the encounter.
“It was a straight match-up between two sides playing the same formation,” Hill said after the game.
“We sort of cancelled each other out for a while but we made a couple of changes to open things up then scoring a goal either side of half-time was perfect.
“We took control of the game from there on in and the Derry goalkeeper made some wonderful saves to keep them in.
“We are very happy to get another three points on the board and keep at the pace for the top of the table.”
