Derry City got off the mark in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership at the third attempt, Crusaders moved level on points with the leaders.
Friday 23 May
Lisburn Ladies 0-2 Crusaders Strikers
Larne Women 0-4 Derry City
Derry City defeated Larne by four goals at Inver Park to pick up their first points of the campaign.
The Candystripes needed just seven minutes to open the scoring when Cache Crumlin-Hawes turned home a tap in after Rachel McIntyre took the ball down the right and past a couple of defenders before laying it off.
McIntyre got on the scoresheet herself around the half-hour mark. Ellie Redden was provider on this occasion, again with a delivery from the right, for McIntyre to double the visitors’ lead.
City then extended their lead just after the hour mark when Caoimhe Walsh found the net from a corner before, in stoppage time, Tara O’Connor-Farren wrapped the scoring up.
Strikers caught up with Glentoran but having played a game more, after a two-goal victory over Lisburn Ladies at the Bluebell Stadium.
Although scoreless at half-time in what was a closely fought affair both sides could have gone in at the break on top.
Caitlyn Hamilton came closest for the Crues with a shot that looked destined for the top corner only for it to be well saved by Zara Maguire while, at the other end, Katherine O’Hare’s effort with the outside of her boot from outside the area was denied by Maddy Harvey-Clifford.
However, the deadlock was finally broken on 57 minutes when substitute Alison McMaster – only on the pitch a matter of minutes – edged the visitors in front before, nine minutes after that, Beth Chalmers knocked home a second to secure the points for Jonny Tuffey’s side.
Saturday afternoon sees the second round of the Women’s All Island Cup group games:
Linfield v Sligo Rovers (Midgely Park, 2pm)
Cliftonville v Cork City (Solitude, 3pm)
Waterford v Glentoran
DLR Waves v Lisburn Rangers (Dún Laoghaire, 3pm)