Womens Premiership

NO AWAY DAY BLUES

10 May 2023
football

There were no away day blues in the Sports Direct Women's Premiership as the five matches in gameweek four produced wins across the board for the visitors.

Cliftonville Ladies and Glentoran Women continued the trend started by Linfield Women, Crusaders Strikers and Lisburn Ladies as they picked up three points apiece in Friday night's two games.

Defending champions Cliftonville swept to a commanding victory over newly promoted Larne Women at Inver Park.

Marissa Callaghan, Danielle Maxwell, Caitlin McGuinness and Kirsty McGuinness all bagged two goals each, with Fionnula Morgan, Abbie Magee, Hannah Doherty and Claire Shaw also all finding the net.

At the Melvin Sports Complex both Sion Swifts Ladies and Glentoran Women started with a 100% record but by the final whistle it was the visitors that left with their perfect start intact.

Emily Wilson opened the scoring midway through the first half, a lead the Glens held until Kerry Beattie doubled it from the spot on the hour. Wilson then doubled her tally for the evening on 75 minutes to complete the scoring.

Earlier in the week Linfield were the biggest winners on Wednesday night, coming from a goal down to knock eight past Derry City Women at the Brandywell.

The Blues recovered from going behind to Clarah Quigg’s 20th minute opener to level through Ebony Leckey from the spot midway through the first half. Leckey then went on to bag another couple before the break to claim her hat-trick and tip the balance in favour of the visitors.

However, Carla Devine decided to emulate that with a superb hat-trick of her own – all in a blistering five-minute spell before the hour - while Rebecca Bassett and Mia Fitzsimmons also found the net as the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

Crusaders swept to a five-goal victory over Mid Ulster Ladies at the Mid Ulster Sports Complex.

Morganne Beggs kicked the scoring off on four minutes with a super finish from the edge of the box, followed by an Amy McGivern volley from a similar distance.

Beth Chalmers powered home a bullet header early in the second half, with further goals coming from Jess Rea and Cora Morgan.

Meanwhile, at The Showgrounds, Lisburn collected their second win of the campaign after coming from behind to get the better of Ballymena United Women.

Megan Henry had fired the Sky Blues in front on 20 minutes with a fine strike from inside the box, but Vivienne McCormack hit back for the visitors from close range right at the end of the first half.

Then, around the hour mark, Aisling Cull edged Lisburn in front for the first time before Stacey Murdough made sure later in the game.