Cliftonville edged out Sion Swifts in a pulsating five-goal encounter to remain four points behind Danske Bank Women’s Premiership leaders Glentoran with two games in hand.
Crusaders Strikers 6-2 Linfield
Cliftonville 3-2 Sion Swifts
Derry City 0-7 Glentoran
Caoirse Doherty had given Sion the lead in the second minute but the Reds hit back with quickfire first half goals from Marissa Callaghan and Kirsty McGuinness, before Louise McDaniel added a third after the break.
Kerryanne Brown pulled one back for the visitors in the second half, but the Reds saw out a potentially important win to bounce back from last week’s loss to league leaders Glentoran.
The Glens secured a seven-goal win at basement side Derry City, with Ali McMaster netting a treble for Billy Clarke’s side.
Kerry Beattie, Rachel Rogan, Shannon Dunne and Nadene Caldwell were also among the scorers for the reigning champions, who have now won four in a row in the league.
Crusaders Strikers strengthened their grip on a top three finish with the help of an Emily Wilson hat-trick, as they hit Linfield for six in their fixture at Jordanstown.
Danielle McDowell’s penalty gave the Crues the lead and whilst teenage winger Kerri Halliday once again found the net for the Blues, goals from Jessica Rea and the first two of Wilson’s treble put Jonny Tuffey’s side in control.
Rebecca Bassett pulled a goal back for the visitors but further goals from Wilson and Holly Otter wrapped up a comfortable win for the Crues.
Vitality #WomensFACup: Tickets for 2020/21 final now on sale
