The NIWFA Barclays Championship last week delivered 27 goals in its opening fixtures but beat it with 33 goals recorded across all the games.
The biggest hitters were Ballyclare Comrades who won 9-3 against St Oliver Plunkett, thanks in the main to four goals from Debs McCarthy and a hat-trick from Nina Morrison.
Ballyclare’s victory means they are one of four teams to have recorded two consecutive victories. with Mid Ulster, Ballymena United Women and Belfast Celtic also making perfect starts.
Ballymena’s experience on the pitch saw them ease home comfortably at newly=promoted Greenisland 3-0, in a game which saw the hosts produce some flowing football at times but ultimately unable to break down a resolute United defence. An early strike from Megan Henry, following a misplaced back pass, gave United the lead with two strikes from Claire Shaw sealing the deal.
Mid Ulster had to work hard for their win as they were pushed all the way by a determined Camlough Rovers. Katie Rose McNally had given Mid Ulster the lead, Olivia Connolly finishing well to equalise. Mid Ulster piled on the pressure and a breakthrough eventually came on 79 minutes through Sorcha Lucas, the points then sealed with McNally adding her second on 90 minutes.
Belfast Celtic recovered from the early setback of a third minute goal from Bangor’s Robyn McFadden, getting level on the stroke of half time through Claire Rooney. Goals from Sara-Lou McLaughlin and Bronagh Rooney saw them move into a 3-1 lead, Amber Dempster pulling one back in a 3-2 result.
St James Swifts’ first game of the season was at promoted Ballymoney United Ladies, from where they returned with a superb 7-2 win thanks partly to a Chloe Tully hat-trick.
Report by Colin Hopkins
