Makyla Mulholland twice produced powerful headed finishes from Demi Vance corners to ensure Glentoran edged past Linfield 2-1 in the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup final at Windsor Park.
Irishfa.com reports that Linfield had opened the scoring on 61 minutes through Megan Bell but the Glens kept pressing and duly got their reward thanks to the contributions from two of their more experienced players.
On the balance of play Billy Clarke’s side deserved their record seventh Women’s Irish Cup success. Linfield, who are on the cusp of winning the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership crown, were stifled by the Glens, who harried and hassled them but also produced some flowing football.
Young Glens forward Caragh Milligan, who was the best player on the park, was constantly on the move and her strong running was a thorn in Linfield’s side throughout the match.
However, it was the Blues who broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, Kirsty McGuinness finding Megan Bell on the edge of the area to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
The Glens piled forward in search of the equaliser but were frustrated several times, including a Kelly Bailie blaster from a free-kick which was saved by the feet of keeper Jamie-Lee Wilson.
The pressure from the east Belfast side paid off eventually, as in the 83rd minute Mullholland rose to meet a great Vance delivery from a corner.
In the 88th minute the Glens made it 2-1 with a goal almost identical to their first. Vance whipped the ball in from a corner and Mulholland headed what proved to be the winning goal.
Glentoran: Ashleigh McKinnon, Yasmin White, Jessica Foy (captain), Aimee-Lee Peachey, Nadene Caldwell, Makyla Mulholland, Demi Vance, Rachel Rogan, Ali McMaster, Kelly Bailie, Caragh Milligan.
Substitutes: (used) Danielle Maxwell, Sarah Gamble; (not used) Cleo Taggart, Joley Andrews, Suzanne Baxter.
Linfield: Jamie-Lee Wilson, Louise McFrederick, Kelsie Burrows, Ashley Hutton, Jennifer McDade, Megan Bell, Sarah Venney (captain), Rebecca Bassett, Kirsty McGuinness, Rebecca McKenna, Chloe McCarron.
Substitutes: (used) Abbie Magee, Lauren Robson, Louise McDaniel; (not used) Casey Howe, Caitlin McGuinness.
