Cliftonville returned to the top of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership – for 48 hours at least – after edging out Crusaders Strikers in Wednesday night’s North Belfast derby.
Marissa Callaghan netted a double for the hosts at Solitude – the second of which was from the penalty spot – to secure a win for John McGrady’s side, whose Megan Weatherall was later shown the first red card of the league season.
Caitlyn Hamilton had drawn the Strikers level in the second half, but it was not enough to stop the Reds winning all four matches between the sides this campaign.
The result moves Cliftonville three points clear at the top of the standings but Glentoran will leapfrog above them if they defeat Linfield in Friday night’s encounter in South Belfast.
The Glens have a superior head-to-head record against the Reds, while the two teams will face each other in the next round of matches – a Wednesday 29 September meeting in East Belfast.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, Kelly Crompton’s strike twenty minutes from time was enough for Sion Swifts to secure the points against Derry City.
Sion remain fourth but are now within three points of third-placed Crusaders.
