What a start it proved to be to the new Sports Direct Women’s Premiership campaign with no fewer than 26 goals scored across the five games.

Champions Cliftonville Ladies kicked off their title defence with an impressive three-goal defeat of Linfield Women at Solitude.

Northern Ireland skipper Marissa Callaghan fired the Reds in front from the spot midway through the first half, with Kirsty McGuinness doubling up five minutes after the break after receiving the ball from Louise McDaniel.

Callaghan then completed the scoring with ten minutes remaining with her second penalty of the afternoon, awarded after Abbie Magee had been brought down.

Glentoran Women, runners-up last term, well and truly hit the ground running with a goal fest at home to Derry City Women.

Demi Vance opened the scoring with a long range effort with barely a minute on the clock. Kerry Beattie then struck a quick fire double soon after before Joely Andrews, Emma McMaster and Emily Wilson all found the net to put the Glens well in control at the break.

The scoring continued through Nadene Caldwell, with Wilson bagging her second of the day a few minutes after that.

Caragh Hamilton added to the goal tally midway through the second half not long before Vance clocked up her brace with Rachel Rogan wrapping things up in the final minutes.

Sion Swifts Ladies also found their shooting boots with a comprehensive defeat of newly promoted Larne Women at the Melvin Sports Complex.

Cora Chambers bagged the first hat-trick of the season, opening the scoring on six minutes before hitting a further two in the latter part of the first half.

Kerry Brown also hit the target before the break while, in the second half, Tara O’Connor-Farren knocked home the second hat-trick of the game.

At Seaview Ballymena United Women, making their return to the top flight after a seven-year absence, went down by three goals to Crusaders Strikers.

Morganne Beggs handed the Crues an early fifth minute lead with Aimee-Lee Peachy doubling their advantage just before the break. Darcy Boyle then completed the scoring with just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining after tapping home a Faith Johnston cross.

Meanwhile, at the Bluebell Stadium, Lisburn Ladies and Mid Ulster Ladies shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Lisburn seized the early advantage through Stacey Murdough on eight minutes, a lead they held until deep into stoppage time when Eimear McGarrity grabbed a last gasp equaliser for the visitors.