A lively game at the Melvin Sports Complex in Strabane on Wednesday evening saw Glentoran Women drop their first league points of the season following a 4-3 defeat to Sion Swifts. Sion looked strong in the early stages of the game with good possession and took the lead on ten minutes with a neat finish from Erin Fildara following a well measured pass from Caoimhe Walsh. On 19 minutes the Glens got themselves back into the game with a Jess Foy penalty after Caragh Hamilton was brought down in the area. The Glens gained confidence from the equaliser and began to take control of the game with sharper passing and more constructive build-up play. Numerous neat interchanges of play down the left between Beattie and Andrews led to goal-bound efforts Kelly and Caldwell and a Beattie snapshot on 40 minutes produced a reaction save from the Sion goalkeeper. All square at half-time with the Glens finishing the stronger side.
The second half saw the Glens start well again with clear intent and good movement through the thirds. They were rewarded on 56 minutes when Kelly’s corner was met majestically by Aimee-Lee Peachey to power a header into the net to give the Glens a deserved 2-1 lead. On 67 minutes the Glens confirmed their dominance of the game with a powerful diagonal drive into the roof of the net from Caragh Hamilton after good work from Kelly down the right. Sion reduced the deficit ten minutes later with a low strike from Caitlin McGuinness and were soon after awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area which was expertly dispatched by older sister Kirsty to draw the Strabane girls level. Momentum now lay with the Sion girls and the Glens conceded their fourth when an 84th minute penalty from Kirsty McGuinness sneaked past the outstretched hand of Glens keeper Burns to seal the victory. A thoroughly entertaining game that the Glens will be disappointed to lose after losing grip on what looked like another three points before Sion mounted their spirited comeback.
Goalscorers Jessica Foy, Aimee-Lee Peachey and Caragh Hamilton
Glentoran Women: 30. Jacqueline Burns 3. Jessica Foy (captain) 5. Aimee-Lee Peachey 6. Nadene Caldwell 9. Rachel Rogan 11. Hannah Doherty 15, Samantha Kelly 17. Joely Andrews 19. Kerry Beattie 26. Caragh Hamilton 27. Shannon Dunne Subs 1. Ashleigh McKinnon 2. Annie Timoney 12. Sarah Connolly 18. Danielle Maxwell 21. Kelly Baillie