Glentoran and Cliftonville maintained their perfect start to the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership with a fifth straight victory each.
Friday evening’s other fixture was a draw between Derry City and Larne, while Linfield welcome Wexford in the quarter-finals of the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup today (22 June), kick-off 2pm.
The Glens top the Premiership table thanks to an emphatic 7-1 defeat of Lisburn Rangers, who themselves had gone into the game with a 100% record.
However something had to give at Crewe Park, and it was visitors who seized the early advantage when Kerry Beattie sent a exquisitely executed effort into the top right corner with just over ten minutes on the clock.
Beattie struck again not long after the break, this time from the spot after Joely Andrews had been upended in the box, before Emily Wilson added a third just short of the hour with a low finish across the face of goal.
Demi Vance increased Glentoran’s lead midway through the second half following a mix-up at the back, and whilst Ellie-Mae Dickson did pull one back for Rangers late goals from Aimee Kerr, Rachel Rogan and Kascie Weir well and truly put the issue beyond doubt.
Not to be outdone, Cliftonville also stormed to victory over Lisburn Ladies by the same scoreline at the Bluebell Stadium.
Caitlin McGuinness broke the deadlock midway through the first half with a close range finish, with Louise McDaniel doubling up seven minutes from the break.
Rachel Kerr reduced the deficit moments after that with a 20-yard drive beyond keeper Erin McAllister, but Caitlin tucked restored Cliftonville’s two-goal cushion around the hour mark.
Big sister Kirsty made it 4-1 to the Reds soon after, with Victoria Carleton bagging number five with 20 minutes remaining.
Caitlin then bagged her hat-trick with another close range finish with eight minutes to go before Kirsty wrapped it all up right at the end of normal time.
Meanwhile, at the Brandywell, Derry City and Larne played out a scoreless draw, in a game that wasn’t without its chances.
Ella Parker threatened for the visitors after a quarter-of-an-hour only to turn her effort into the side netting while, at the other end, Ellie Redden’s long range strike was well dealt with by Kate Smith.
That pattern continued into the second half with Kate Nicolson just failing to hit the target with a free-kick from distance, followed by a Caoirse Doherty run and shot that again ended up in the side netting.
