The NIWFA Barclays Championship is looking like it might develop into a two-team race with Ballymena United Women and St.James Swifts moving well clear.
Ballymena United Women kept their 100% winning record intact this week after casting aside an in-form Bangor team 4-0, thanks mainly to a hat-trick from Megan Henry.
St.James meanwhile also kept their perfect form after they comfortably defeated basement side St.Oliver Plunkett 7-0. Katie-Rose Rice leading the way with a treble.
Ballymoney United Ladies got their first win as they cruised past Belfast Celtic 5-1, aided by doubles from Cleo-Neece Taggart and Aine McAllister.
Camlough Rovers slipped into the bottom two with Sion Swifts’ Zahara Leckey scoring a hat-trick in the 8-0 result.
A real nail-biter saw Greenisland edge Mid Ulster 4-3, goals from Rachel Patterson, Erin McCauley. Lucy Redmond and Aoife Burgess giving them a 4-1 lead. Mid Ulster fighting back helped by Sharagh Murphy’s double.
DIVISION ONE
Strabane Athletic made it two from two after defeating Rosario 4-2, with Ambassadors also picking up a win 1-0 at Ballynahinch Ladies. Comber Rec and Ballyclare Comrades Reserves battled out an entertaining 3-3 draw.
DIVISION TWO
Victories for Lisbellaw United and Carrick Rangers Falcons means both sides have started with back-to-back wins, before they go head-to-head this week. Belfast Ravens started their season by hitting 22nd Ladies 6-1.
DIVISION THREE
A second consecutive victory for Moneyslane sees them the early leaders but not far behind are Belfast Swifts, who defeated Raceview and Ballynahinch Olympic who drew with Antrim Town 1-1. Mid Ulster Reserves defeated Portadown 2-1.
DIVISION FOUR
A truly remarkable feat came as Valley Rangers’ Caitlin Rae netted seven goals for the second consecutive week, as the leaders routed St.Marys. Ards Rangers and Oxford Sunnyside are level on points with the early pacesetters, after both also secured wins over Dromara Village and Ballymoney United Reserves respectively. Comber Rec Reserves defeated Rathfriland 3-1.
DIVISION FIVE
The Seconds of both Greenisland and Carrick Rangers Falcons secured consecutive victories this. First Bangor held on to defeat the 22nd Ladies Reserves 5-4, Holywood and Wellington Rec battled out a 2-2 tie.
DIVISION SIX
Bloomfield made a wining start versus Raceview Athletic, while Hanover bounced back from their opening day defeat to overcome Shorts Women.
DIVISION SEVEN / PATHWAY
Coleraine Reserves and Ards Rangers Seconds each have two wins from two games played, Newhill and Carryduff the leading pair after their second consecutive successes.
Report by Colin Hopkins