It was business as usual at the top of the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership following gameweek five victories for leading duo Cliftonville Ladies and Glentoran Women.

It was also a successful week for Crusaders Strikers, Linfield Women and Ballymena United Women.

Defending champions Cliftonville maintained their place at the top of the standings with a statement win over Sion Swifts Ladies at Solitude.

Caitlin McGuinness kicked the scoring off with two goals inside the opening ten minutes, before Danielle Maxwell added a third midway through the first half. Skipper Marissa Callaghan then wrapped the scoring up with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Glentoran remain hot on their heels, however, following a thumping 8-1 defeat of Lisburn Ladies at Ashfield.

The Glens got off to a storming thanks to an amazing four goal blast from Rachel Rogan inside the opening 24 minutes, with Caragh Hamilton also finding the net during that spell.

Emily Wilson added a sixth before the break with the visitors bagging a consolation soon after. Further goals came in the latter part of the second half through a Kerry Beattie spot-kick with Hamilton doubling her tally for the evening.

Linfield, now in third spot, found their shooting boots with a seven-goal victory over Mid Ulster Ladies at Midgley Park.

Rebecca Bassett broke the deadlock after barely five minutes, with Ebony Leckey following up with a first half double. Keri Halliday bagged a brace of her own early in the second half with further goals coming later in the game through Emily Reid and a Chloe McReynolds own goal.

Crusaders are just behind the Blues on goal difference after a 4-0 defeat of Larne Women at Seaview.

Faith Johnston opened the scoring from the spot on 18 minutes and doubled up just after the half-hour mark. Darcy Boyle then added a third around a quarter-of-an-hour into the second half with Caitlyn Hamilton adding a fourth on 68 minutes.

Ballymena United kicked the week off on Wednesday evening with a 3-2 win over Derry City Women at the Brandywell.

Cate Toland had fired the Candystripes in front midway through the first half, but Kylie Doherty levelled for the Sky Blues before the break. Ella McDowell then edged the visitors in front on 52 minutes only for Derry to level through Abby Alexander just short of the hour.

However the visitors bagged the winner on 72 minutes courtesy of an Ellen McClure strike to secure a first win of the season for United.