Glentoran Women stretched their lead at the top of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership to four points over nearest rivals Cliftonville with a resounding 4-0 victory against the Reds at Solitude on Wednesday evening. Confidence was high following an impressive run of form and plenty of goals scored in recent weeks, although a strong looking Reds line-up was certainly not to be underestimated particularly with key players returning from injury and the recent arrival of talented centre back Kelsie Burrows from Linfield. For the Glens, experienced goalkeeper Emma Higgins stepped in to replace Jaqueline Burns who returned to America last week to continue her studies.
Within five minutes of the referee’s whistle to indicate the start of the game, the Glens took the lead courtesy of a Lauren Wade direct free kick following a good run inside from Casey Howe that drew a foul just outside the box. It was a perfect position just right of the goal for the talented winger to strike the ball sweetly into the roof of the net with her trusted left foot. Howe’s trickery and determined running continued to cause the Cliftonville defence problems in the early stages. On the quarter hour mark the Reds began to settle into the game with McDaniel and McGuinness finding good space out wide. However, the Glens proved to be dangerous on the counter with a sweeping move on 23 minutes involving Foy, McCarron and Wade whose cross just missed Andrews’ incisive run to the near post. The away side continued to pass the ball well and get into good positions in the final third, although not clinical enough in front of goal to extend the lead. At the other end the determination to not concede was epitomised by box-to-box midfield dynamo Nadene Caldwell whose last-ditch goal-saving tackle prevented Reds captain Callaghan from stabbing the ball home from five yards following a good run and cross from Kirsty McGuinness. With the home side aiming to draw level before half-time and buoyed by a vocal home support behind the goal, the Glens remained focused in defence to thwart the advances of the Cliftonville forward line, McDaniel in particular looking the most likely to convert. The last action of a fast-paced first half with quality evident on both sides saw Foy’s cross find Howe with her back to goal twelve yards out. The young striker did well to turn sharply to create a space to shoot but saw her shot deflected for a corner.
Half-time Cliftonville Ladies 0-1 Glentoran Women
Knowing that a slender 1-0 lead might not be enough to secure the three points on the night, the Glens began the second half in immediate search of the second goal. A wade cross from the left on 46 minutes was just too long for the untracked McCarron to connect cleanly at the back post. A penalty shout three minutes later was ignored by referee Gareth Stewart when it seemed Callaghan caught Caldwell in the box. With Howe’s standard penetrating runs deep into the right channel, it was no surprise when a yellow card was shown to Weatherall for continuous fouling in the fiftieth minute. Indeed, Nornie in the Reds goal had to be alert to push a Howe shot out for a corner a minute later. McCarron’s quality in midfield was clear for all to see as she confidently took charge of the ball, side-stepped opponents and opened up the play to create attacks down both flanks. Wade, having also benefitted from playing at a higher level in recent years, demonstrated her quality confidently taking on White at right-back on numerous occasions to fire low crosses into the danger area. On 62 minutes good work from Wade found McCarron on the edge of the box only for the former Birmingham City player to shoot over the bar. A corner on 64 minutes saw Andrews’ delivery find Caldwell rise high to head wide. As the pressure mounted the away side seemed to look fitter and stronger in every department. A long-range effort from Bailey on 68 was well held by Nornie and the corner count increased as the away side attacked at will. The intense pressure finally paid off in the seventy-first minute. A Wade corner was punched clear and as the ball broke to Kelly Bailie in an advanced position, the Glentoran legend took one touch to her left before blasting the ball past Nornie at her near post to deservedly double the champions’ lead at a crucial time in the game. Howe and Beattie were replaced by McMaster and Rogan respectively on 80 minutes. There was further joy for Billy Clarke’s side on 84 when a McCarron free kick was spilled by Nornie and poked home by Caldwell under pressure from debutant Burrows close to goal to effectively seal the game. Two late penalty awards confirmed Glentoran’s dominance in a one-sided second half. With designated taker Beattie off the pitch responsibility for the first fell to Caldwell, who blazed over the bar. The second, a retake following encroachment, was dispatched by Foy to cap a wonderful evening for the league leaders.
Full-time Cliftonville Ladies 0-4 Glentoran Women
Glentoran Women: Glentoran Women: 29. Emma Higgins 2. Annie Timoney 3. Jessica Foy (captain) 6. Nadene Caldwell 17. Joely Andrews 19. Kerry Beattie 21. Kelly Bailie 24. Lauren Wade 27. Shannon Dunne 28. Casey Howe 97. Chloe McCarron subs 1. Ashleigh McKinnon 9. Rachel Rogan (for Beattie)10. Alison McMaster (for Howe) 18, Danielle Maxwell 22. Cara Mervyn
Photography by Johnny Caldwell and Pacemaker Press
Match Report by Mark Andrews
With momentum building and continued involvement in all four domestic competitions, not to mention a trip to Finland in the Champions League next week, Glentoran Women find themselves in a rich vein of form. Next up is a County Antrim Cup quarter-final v Larne on Friday 6 August KO 7.30 at Ashfield followed by a return to league action v Derry City on Wednesday 11 August KO 7.45 at Ashfield. All support welcome.
