Four Barclays Northern Ireland Women’s FA League titles were decided in the space of a few days by Ballynahinch Olympic, Valley Rangers, Carrick Rangers Falcons II and Ballynagross.
St. James Swifts were the big winners in the Championship this week winning both of the games they played and in doing so moving four points clear of the chasing pack at the top of the table.
Their week started with a hard fought 2-1 win at Greenisland on Monday night with goals from Chloe Tully and Katie Rose Rice seeing them home despite Erin McCauley’s late first half goal for Greenisland. After this result the Swifts then went on to crush St. Oliver Plunkett 8-0 on Friday night with Tully back on the score sheet with four more goals.
Not to be outdone, Sion Swifts also scored big as they brushed aside Camlough Rover 10-2, with Zoe Green, Brooke Milligan and Zahara Leckey all scoring twice to make it 11 games without defeat.
Bangor’s pursuit for the title took a major hit when they lost 2-0 to Ballymena at Clandeboye Park. Megan Henry continued her rich goal scoring form of late in this one scoring both goals, with the result keeping United four points behind St. James but Bangor now finding themselves some seven points off the top of the standings.
BARCLAYS NIWFA DIVISION ONE
A slip up by Ambassadors who drew 2-2 with Rosario – coupled with a 5-1 win for Strabane Athletic over Ballyclare Reserves – saw the Co.Tyrone side leapfrog their opposition into second place, with only one more league game each to play and guess what? Yes, the two sides meet one another next Wednesday night with both knowing that securing the runners-up spot may well lead to a place in the Championship next season.
Elsewhere, Champions Craigavon City brushed aside Ballynahinch Ladies 6-0, thanks mainly to a Sophie Graham hat-trick.
BARCLAYS NIWFA DIVISION TWO
Carrick Falcons were already declared champions with Lisbellaw securing second place, while one team who will wish the season was only starting is Coleraine. After a sluggish run they now seem to have found their form with their recent upturn in fortunes continued this with a 6-1 win over Belfast Ravens. Elsewhere, there were wins for Lisbellaw and Armagh City.
BARCLAYS NIWFA DIVISION THREE
Despite the best efforts of Belfast Swifts who defeated Banbridge Town this week, it’s Ballynahinch Olympic who are the winners. Olympic secured the title following a hard fought 3-2 win away at Portadown, so no doubt there will be plenty to celebrate when they host Mid Ulster Reserves in their final home game of the season this Monday night.
The Swifts’ victory (over Mid Ulster Reserves) coupled with Antrim Town’s win at Moneyslane sees the Antrim-based side move into third place in the table.
BARCLAYS NIWFA DIVISION FOUR
Valley Rangers are the winners following a thumping 11-0 score over second-placed Oxford Sunnyside, continuing their 100% winning record for this season.
That defeat for Oxford, coupled with a strong win for Ards Rangers against Rathfriland, means that Oxford and Ards will battle it out in their last league game of the season for the runners up spot. That deciding game takes place at Knockramer Park on Sunday 17 September.
BARCLAYS NIWFA DIVISION FIVE
Carrick Rangers Falcons II and Greenisland II faced off in their penultimate league game neck and neck but with the latter holding a better goal difference. Carrick soon found themselves 1-0 down to an Aliyah Monthe strike, Carys Lloyd levelled only for Ciara Coates to restore the lead. terval. Laura McManus grabbed a second equaliser and with only 12 minutes left to play, Montana Mcfall scored the decider for Carrick.
BARCLAYS NIWFA DIVISION SIX
Goals from Jane McStravick and SJ Reid saw Ballynagross win 2-0 against their nearest rivals Bloomfield, a result which secured them the title.
NIWFA DIVISION SEVEN LEAGUE CUP
Victories for Antrim Town Swifts and Ards Rangers II saw them finish second and third respectively in the group, to meet in the semi-finals. Coleraine Reserves were top of the group and now face Belfast Ravens III.
NIWFA CLUB PATHWAY LEAGUE CUP
Wins for Tristar, Newhill and Limavady United mean that the standings for the semi-final draw are still to be decided.
Round up by Colin Hopkins