The NIWFA Barclays Women’s Championship has new league leaders as Greenisland moved top for the first time following a superb 3-2 win at Ballymena United.
Greenisland had taken the lead through Lucy Redmond but United levelled the game through a well taken Megan Henry on 31 minutes. Two minutes into the second half, Redmond restored the lead with her second of the night but on 70 minutes Henry also slotted home her second following a great through ball. It was to be Championship newcomers Greenisland who ended up celebrating, as Rachel Patterson reacted quickest from her own blocked effort to make it 3-2 on 80 minutes.
One side who will be determined to end Greenisland’s dream are St James Swifts, who this week defeated Ballymoney 6-2 to move into second place and only two points behind the leaders with two games in hand. The Swifts’ Chloe Tully was the star of the show, netting four times.
Mid Ulster had to come back from a goal down to Camlough’s Ellen McCartney, with efforts from Jess Magee, Amy Smyth and Eimear McGarrity as a second-half revival ensured they returned home with the three points.
Basement side St.Oliver Plunkett must have thought they were on their way to the first win of the season as Grace Watkins gave them the lead against Ballyclare Comrades. The Comrades however had other ideas and took all three points thanks to goals from Rhian Weatherup and Deborah McCarthy.
DIVISION ONE
It took leaders Craigavon City the entire first half before they could find the breakthrough against a resolute and hard-working Ambassadors, with their resistance being eventually broken on 44 minutes as Amy McAllister broke the deadlock. This changed the mood of the game and as the visitors had no option but to try to find an equaliser in the second half the hosts netted two more through Murray and Williamson to ease home 3-0 and in doing so create a nine point gap at the top of the table.
Second placed Strabane had no game this week but elsewhere there were wins for Rosario (2-1 v Comber Rec) and Ballynahinch Ladies (4-2 v Ballyclare Comrades Reserves).
DIVISION TWO
It was away victories all round as leaders Carrick Rangers Falcons won at the 22nd Ladies to retain a three-point advantage over Lisbellaw, who also won away from home at Armagh City. Maiden City won 3-2 at Coleraine.
DIVISION THREE
With Belfast Swifts not playing this week, top side Ballynahinch Olympic made the most of their game as they defeated Banbridge Town to go eight points clear of their rivals.
Mid Ulster Reserves did have the opportunity to move into second place but were unable to take it, as they lost at home to Raceview. Moneyslane secured victory thanks to a late goal from Erin Easton in a 3-2 home result over Portadown.
DIVISION FOUR
Comprehensive wins for the league’s top three sides; Valley Rangers, Ards Rangers and Oxford Sunnyside, mean that Valley continue to lead the table by five points from both of their nearest rivals.
DIVISION FIVE
Big home wins once again this week for Carrick Rangers Falcons Seconds and Greenisland Seconds means that both teams remain neck and neck at the top, although Belfast Ravens II remain only four points behind following their success at Holywood.
There was a five-star performance from Wellington Rec’s Cleo Hagan who netted all their goals in a 5-3 success at the 22nd Ladies II.
DIVISION SIX
Just the one game played proved to be a big one, as victory for Ballynagross over Shorts saw them open up a four-point gap at the top of the standings.
DIVISION SEVEN / PATHWAY LEAGUE
Just the one game also, with Coleraine Reserves winning a high scoring thriller at Wellington Rec II 4-3.
Meanwhile in the Pathway League there were comfortable wins for Newhill, Limavady United and Carryduff. Newhill lead by six points from Limavady, with Carryduff two points behind them in third place.
NIWFA LOCAL WOMEN SPORT SUPER CUP
Four games featured Pathway side Newhill causing the biggest upset, as they defeated high-flying fourth Division Oxford Sunnyside 1-0 with an injury-time goal from Shana Morris.
Fourth Division leaders Valley Rangers also had a great win beating First Division Ballynahinch United, while there were also wins for Carrick Rangers Falcons and Maiden City.
Report by Colin Hopkins