Cliftonville send Glentoran to first defeat as Linfield return to top spot

Glentoran v Cliftonville, Sports Direct Women's Premiership
Cliftonville celebrations at Glentoran. (Photo: Damien Toolan)

The Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title race was blown wide open amid huge victories for Cliftonville, Linfield, Crusaders Strikers and Derry City.

Cliftonville inflicted a first defeat of the campaign upon Glentoran in the big game at Blanchflower Stadium.

Scoreless at the break, the Reds moved in front on 50 minutes when Caitlin McGuinness collected a throw-in from Aoibhe O’Neill before firing past keeper Ashleigh McKinnon from outside the area with her right foot.

And that was how it stayed until a minute from time when Women’s Premiership Player of the Month Naomi McLaughlin added a second for the defending champions with a sensational finish from around 15 yards.

Linfield moved back to the top of the table following a crushing defeat of Larne at Midgley Park.

The Blues needed just three minutes to seize the advantage when Eve Reilly found the net, with Jennifer McDade doubling up after a quarter-of-an-hour.

Reilly struck again with two more goals in as many minutes midway through the first half to claim her hat-trick, with Zoe McGlynn adding another as the Blues went in at the break five goals to the good.

The scoring continued on 51 minutes through Hannah Doherty, followed by a Cora Chambers double and an Alex Clarke finish all before the hour. Rebecca Bassett then completed the scoring on 67 minutes.

Crusaders Strikers stormed to a five goal defeat of Lisburn Rangers at Crewe Park.

The visitors led at half-time courtesy of goals from Julie Nelson and Rebecca Mann midway through the first half.

Michelle McDaid then popped with a double on 67 and 74 minutes before Rachel McLaren wrapped the scoring up in the closing moments.

A goal in each half helped Derry City to victory over Lisburn Ladies at the Bluebell Stadium.

Sports Direct Women's Premiership, Lisburn Ladies v Derry City
Lisburn Ladies v Derry City. (Photo: Paul Harvey)

The Candystripes held the advantage at the break after Caoirse Doherty edged them in front inside the opening ten minutes.

The visitors then doubled up with just under a quarter-of-an-hour of normal time remaining when Rachel McIntyre made sure of the points.

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