Following impressive performances against two full time outfits in Finland in the qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League, Glentoran Women returned in buoyant mood to domestic action on Wednesday with a home league fixture against a rapidly improving Sion Swifts side. As usual, the Glens started on the front foot taking the game to their opponents with crisp passing and fluid transitions in the opening minutes. Early confidence on the ball saw the home side force a corner from which Bailie headed narrowly over in the sixth minute. A minute later came a golden opportunity to break the deadlock as Andrews found Caldwell in space just inside the box from where the latter unleashed a drive that shaved the top of the bar. A second Andrews corner on twelve minutes was met by central defender Shannon Dunne whose firm header from eight yards put her side 1-0 up.
The visitors reacted well and should really have drawn level on sixteen minutes when the ball broke to the unmarked Crompton who failed to hit the target. As the Glens continued to press forward in search of a second goal, right-back Annie Timoney’s diagonal long balls sought to find Lauren Wade in behind the Sion defensive line. To their credit, Sion worked hard to stifle the attacking threat. An effort from Andrews on twenty-six minutes produced a fine stop from McElhinney and a Maxwell cross from the right just evaded McMaster’s well-timed run from deep. Maxwell was involved again just minutes later when she headed over the bar after a strong run and cross from the marauding Foy whose penetrating runs from left-back were beginning to take effect in the final third. On the stroke of half-time the champions did eventually double their lead following a combination of good play from Caldwell and a dose of confusion in the Sion ranks leaving McElhinney stranded as Lauren Wade strode past to convert into an empty net.
Half-time Glentoran Women 2-0 Sion Swifts
A fast start to the second half signalled the Glens’ intention to further extend their lead. A great shot from Ali McMaster in the fifty-fourth minute produced a smart save from the alert McElhinney. When captain Jess Foy played in Maxwell eight minutes later, the latter really should have sealed the points but failed to take advantage of a lapse in concentration in the Sion ranks. With the introduction of Howe for Caldwell on the hour mark, the Glens continued to move the ball wide in an effort to exploit space. Andrews’ creativity in central areas was significant having her own shot saved on sixty-five minutes before drawing a foul on the edge of the area four minutes later from where Wade struck the bar from a direct free kick. Sion equalised in the seventy-first minute against the run of play when Cora Chambers, wide on the right, spotted McKinnon off her line and aimed a long-range strike that found the net to give the away side hope late in the game. Ali McMaster was replaced midway through the second half by sister Emma as the Glens sought to thwart any further advances from the rejuvenated Sion side. On the attacking front, Howe was finding space with her tricky runs and was unfortunate not to hit the target following clever play to create space for a shot. Her endeavour was finally rewarded when international team-mate Wade turned provider to set her up for a tap-in to secure the points.
A scoreless draw at Solitude between Cliftonville Ladies and Linfield Ladies meant that the Glens returned to the summit of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership on goal difference ahead of the Reds with four games left to play.
Full-time Glentoran Women 3-1 Sion Swifts
Glentoran Women: 1. Ashleigh McKinnon 2. Annie Timoney 3. Jessica Foy (captain) 6. Nadene Caldwell 10. Alison McMaster 17. Joely Andrews 18. Danielle Maxwell 21. Kelly Bailie 24. Lauren Wade 27.Shannon Dunne 97.Chloe McCarron
Subs: 4. Emma McMaster 14. Jenna McKearney 22. Cara Mervyn 20. Casey Howe 44. Cora Morgan
Match Report by Mark Andrews
Photographs by Johnny Caldwell