Reds inflict first league defeat on Glens as Blues win to go top
Caitlin McGuinness is congratulated after scoring Cliftonville's first goal against Glentoran
- Published
Cliftonville Ladies inflicted a first defeat of the Women's Premiership campaign on Glentoran Women as second-half goals from Caitlin McGuinness and Naomi McLaughlin gave the Reds a 2-0 win over their rivals at the Blanchflower Stadium on Friday night.
Meanwhile in the evening's other games Linfield Women moved to the top of the table thanks to a thumping 11-0 home win over Larne Women at Midgley Park, Crusaders Strikers ran out 5-0 victors over Lisburn Rangers at Crewe Park and Derry City defeated Lisburn Ladies 2-0 at Bluebell Stadium.
Cliftonville moved in front on 50 minutes when McGuinness collected a throw-in from Aoibhe O'Neill before rifling past keeper Ashleigh McKinnon from outside the area with her right foot.
One minute from time Women's Premiership player of the month McLaughlin added a second for the defending champions with a sensational finish from 15 yards.
Linfield needed just three minutes to seize the advantage in their game when Eve Reilly found the net, 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 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.
Meanwhile, a goal in each half helped Derry City Women to victory.
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.
Linfield sit top of the table on 19 points from eight games, with Glentoran one point adrift and Cliftonville three in arrears of the pacesetters having both played seven matches.