Danske Bank Women's Premiership Champions Glentoran signed off on their retention campaign this evening at the Bet McLean Oval with a final comprehensive win over Derry City. The Glens goals came through four for Lauren Wade, two from Cragh Hamilton and strikes from Danielle Maxwell, Nadene Caldwell and recent signing Cora Morgan.
The champs were welcomed onto the pitch with a generous guard of honour from the Derry players and after the final whistle skipper Jess Foy was presented with the new Premiership trophy
Four goal Lauren Wade and skipper Jess Foy
Lauren Wade was top scorer on the night as she bagged four goals in total and remarkably she scored twice within the space of a minute twice, netting in the 22nd, 23rd, 45th and 46th minutes.
Caragh Hamilton had opened the scoring for the Glens in the 14th minute and she added another 20 minutes later, while Nadene Caldwell also netted in the first half.
Danielle Maxwell added an eighth ten minutes from time before Caroline Gallagher pulled a consolation goal back for the Candystripes, before Cora Morgan added another for the hosts
2021 top scorers Kerry Beattie and Casey Howe
Hamilton – who opened the scoring - became provider playing vital roles in each of Wade’s four first half goals.
Caldwell and Hamilton were both able to capitalise again, each scoring individual strikes.
Goal number eight came from Maxwell after interchanging playing involving Wade and Chloe McCarron before Derry got one back: a through ball past the Glentoran defence left Gallagher free inside the box and beating Glens goalkeeper Ashleigh McKinnon.
The final goal of the match and of the season came courtesy of a Morgan header.
Long serving multi title winners Nadene Caldwell and Kelly Bailie
Now its on to two cup finals in the next ten days - the Toals County Antim Cup v Crusaders Strikers at Seaview on Saturday (Kick Off 7.30pm) then the Electric Ireland Women's Irish Cup Final v the same opposition at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Friday 15th October (Kick Off 7.45pm).
What an end to such a memorable season!
The McMaster sisters, Alison and Emma
Glentoran Women: 1. Ashleigh McKinnon 2. Annie Timoney 3. Jessica Foy (captain) 4. Emma McMaster 6. Nadene Caldwell 14.Caragh Hamilton 18. Danielle Maxwell 22. Cara Mervyn 24. Lauren Wade 26. Jenna McKearney 97. Chloe McCarron
Subs: 415. Rachel Dennison (replaced Foy 46) 16. Casey Duffy 25. Cora Morgan (replaced Hamilton 46) 27. Shannon Dunne 28. Casey Howe Howe (replaced Caldwell 56)
Kerry Beattie with Glens stars of the future
Photography by Pacemaker
Shannon Dunne and Alison McMaster