FIRST HALF GOAL BLITZ SENDS GLENS TOP
Danielle Maxwell, Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie and Caragh Hamilton were all on the scoresheet as Glentoran moved three points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership with a win over Cliftonville.
All the goals arrived in the first half and ensured the Glens took advantage of having played an extra match to move three points clear of Sion Swifts at the summit of the league.
Maxwell opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a curling effort into the top corner before Andrews doubled the lead four minutes later with a well-placed shot after the hosts worked a short corner routine.
Beattie effectively finished the game as a contest on the half-hour mark after Hamilton’s cross, and Northern Ireland international Hamilton scored the fourth before the break as previous scorer Beattie turned provider to seal the points.
Rachel Rogan replaced goalkeeper Danielle Maxwell after 70 minutes, Shannon Dunne replaced Beattie soon after and Hamilton was replaced by Sarah Connolly, the former looking to have been injured after attempting to get on the end of a cross. The result was all but confirmed by half-time however both teams put in a battling performance in the second half.
Glentoran Women: Burns, Timoney, Foy, Peachey, Caldwell, Doherty, Kelly, Andrews, Maxwell, Beattie, Hamilton subs McKinnon (not used), Rogan (replaced Maxwell 70), McMaster (not used), Connolly (replaced Hamilton 77), Dunne (replaced Beattie 75)
Cliftonville Ladies: Currie, Finnegan, McHenry, White, McConnell, Rooney, Taggart, Morgan, Callaghan, Connolly, Weatherall subs Moran (replaced McConnell 47), Carson (replaced White 70), Thompson (replaced Weatherall 46), Welsh (not used), Wilton (not used)