CLIFTONVILLE CLAIM NORTH BELFAST BRAGGING RIGHTS
Cliftonville Ladies top the early Danske Bank Women’s Premiership standings with a hard-fought win at rivals Crusaders Strikers to maintain their 100 percent start to the campaign.
Two Northern Ireland internationals combined for the moment that decided the clash as Kirsty McGuinness - who has now netted in successive games - headed home Marissa Callaghan’s cross.
Cliftonville’s Callaghan had a early few glimpses on goal but every shot was dealt with competently by the home side’s goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford while Mairead McCann came closest for the Crues with a shot over the bar.
The Reds enjoyed more sustained pressure in the second half and McGuinness deftly headed Callaghan’s cross in to break the deadlock and settle the game.
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, Archibald, McGivern, McDowell, McCann, Nelson, Armour, Johnston, Otter, Chalmers, Wilson subs Redmond (not used), Rodgers (not used), McLaren (not used), Boyle (replaced McCann 52), Rea (replaced Johnston 86)
Cliftonville Ladies: Norney, Orr, White, Moran, Morgan, McHenry, McDaniel, C. McGuinness, K. McGuinness, Callaghan, Connolly subs McConnell (replaced White 85), Welsh (not used), Davis (not used), Weatherall (replaced Connolly 69), Montgomery (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
