Glentoran and Cliftonville both extended their perfect winning starts to the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership campaigns with five-goal victories.
Results for Wednesday 11 May:
Glentoran 5-0 Crusaders Strikers
Linfield 1-1 Sion Swifts
Lisburn 0-5 Cliftonville
Mid Ulster 1-1 Derry City
The Glens recorded a comfortable victory over Crusaders Strikers at Ashfield Boys HS while the Reds were made to work hard before running out winners at newly-promoted Lisburn.
Lauren Wade netted twice for Billy Clarke’s Glens side, either side of a remarkable run of scoring three goals within the space of four first-half minutes.
After Wade opened the scoring in the first minute, Jess Foy’s penalty doubled Glentoran’s advantage in the 22nd minute before Rachel Rogan and Casey Howe added quick goals. Northern Ireland international Wade added the fifth in the second half.
Caitlin McGuinness and Fi Morgan both netted doubles for Cliftonville in their victory over Lisburn at the Bluebell Stadium, after Kirsty McGuinness had opened the scoring for the Reds in the first half.
A last-minute equaliser by Leah McGonagle earned Derry City a point away to Mid Ulster – who came within seconds of their first ever top-flight victory.
Sharagh Murphy broke the deadlock for the hosts with less than 20 minutes remaining but McGonagle’s last-gasp goal earned a draw for the second week in a row for the Candystripes.
Elsewhere, Sion Swifts continued their strong run of form as Leontia McVarnock’s equaliser earned a point with five minutes remaining against Linfield.
The Blues had looked set to record their first victory in three league games after Keri Halliday’s first half opener but McVarnock’s late goal ensured a share of the spoils.
