The week’s tightest game in the Northern Ireland Women’s FA Championship saw Killen Rangers edge ten-player Belfast Celtic 4-3.
Championship – The 100% record of Lisburn Ladies continued this week as they secured another fine win, this time easily disposing of Comber Rec by 9-0 thanks mainly to four more goals from in-form Kerry Taggart. It’s not all one way traffic however for the league leaders, as Mid Ulster kept up the chase with a 3-0 victory over Ballymena United aided by an Eimear McGarrity brace. Those results mean Lisburn lead Mid Ulster by six points but the Cookstown-based side do have two games in hand. Elsewhere, St James defeated East Belfast 5-1 and Killen Rangers edged Belfast Celtic 4-3, Amy McFarland’s late penalty winning it, while Celtic’s Eadaoin ni Chiarrain was sent off.
Division 1 – All top three sides recorded victories with current leaders Larne defeating Portadown 3-1. Crewe United’s week had started well with a 4-2 victory over Coleraine giving them their first win of the season, featuring a fantastic four-goal haul from Ellen McClure. However, they were then sent crashing back to earth as second placed Ballymacash Rangers stormed home 13-0 against them two days later, with Chloe Glover scoring four and Mollie Moore netting a hat- trick. Third-placed Foyle Belles also kept themselves in contention with a 2-0 victory at Armagh City, where Loren Smallwoods got both the goals.
Division Two – Lisburn Rangers overwhelmed St Oliver Plunkett, Sophie Megaw was the main thorn in their side with no less than six individual goals in that game. Carnmoney Athletic remain two points off the summit following a comfortable win at Banbridge Town, following that up with another big win, this time at the expense of Larne Olympic. The latter did have reason to celebrate earlier in the week with victory at Belfast Swifts, while Ballymena United 2nds defeated Bangor.
Division Three – It’s Ballynahinch leading the way from Camlough Rovers with both sides securing wins this week against Banbridge Rangers and Belfast Ravens respectively. Kilmore Rec had a fine 3-2 victory away to Carnmoney, Shamrock shared six goals with Moneyslane, for whom it was the first point of the season.
Division Four – Ambassadors had a mixed bag this week, losing to the 22nd Ladies but bounced back with three points at Greenisland. Leaders Rosario were forced to work hard for a 4-3 win at Killen Rangers Reserves, with Ballymoney United remaining within a point of the top after defeating Antrim Rovers. Dromara Village secured their first points of the season by defeating Belfast Ravens 2nds.
Division Five – Leaders Lisburn Swifts defeated Belfast Celtic Reserves and Ballymoney United had a good away win at JM Ladies.
Southampton FC Women sign Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty
