CORA DOUBLE FIRES SION TO CUP VICTORY

Substitute Cora Chambers netted twice to clinch the Jordan’s Gift Women’s Premiership League Cup trophy for Sion Swifts Ladies over Cliftonville Ladies in Wednesday night’s final.

Chambers – a half-time substitute who returned to her club side this week after training with the Northern Ireland senior international side – took advantage of a slip from Cliftonville defender Megan Moran following goalkeeper Rachael Norney’s pass to open the scoring in the second minute of extra-time after the 90 minutes ended goalless.

It was an unfortunate incident for the North Belfast side, who had defended excellently throughout and repelled the threat of Sion Swifts, who enjoyed the best chances throughout the match.

The Reds had to throw caution to the wind to chase an equaliser which allowed Sion opportunities of their own, with Chambers making sure of the trophy by tapping home from point-blank range with virtually the last kick of the game from Zoe McGlynn’s delivery.

In the first half, Aimee Durn’s effort crept agonisingly wide of goal while Kerryanne Brown and Caoirse Doherty also had chances for Sion.

Just after the hour mark, a handball from Fi Morgan gave Sion the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot but Chambers saw her effort rebound back off the post, across goal and to safety for the Reds.

Cliftonville withstood more pressure as Norney did excellently to block Brown’s volleyed effort after a flowing Sion move.

Yet Chambers more than atoned for her penalty miss with her two extra-time goals to settle the game to give Sion – who lost the 2019 League Cup showpiece – their first trophy since the 2017 Irish Cup.

Cliftonville Ladies: Norney, White, Moran, Morgan, Finnegan, Montgomery, McKimm, Reilly, McHenry, Irvine, Copeland subs Welsh (not used), Thompson (replaced Copeland 70), Anderson (not used), Gilliland (not used), Wilton (not used), Mailey (not used), Madden (not used)

Sion Swifts Ladies: Currie, Neal, Walsh, McCarter, Durn, Crompton, McGlynn, McLaughlin, O'Neill, Brown, C. Doherty subs Harris (not used), Chambers (replaced McLaughlin 46), T. Doherty (not used), Quigg (not used), Long (replaced Durn 77), Coyle (not used), McFarland (not used)