Glentoran Women put in a second half performance worthy of champions to see off strong resistance from Crusaders and clinch the Sports Direct Women's Premiership title, their third in four years and a record tenth overall.
The Glens started with the experienced Ashleigh McKinnon in goal following Ellie Scott’s injury in our last game on Monday night, and got off to a positive start in a frantic first half hour, with Emily Wilson and Joely Andrews in particular putting the resolute Crues defence under pressure. Wilson had the Glens best effort against her old team with a strong shot well saved by Maddy Harvey Clifford. For all the Glens good attacking work they found it difficult to get the ball to 35-goal top scorer Kerry Beattie.
Crusaders also worked well but the visiting defence dealt well with everything thrown at them with the back four of Tweedie, McMaster, Timoney and Foy all looking very comfortable. However the Crues came closest to opening the first half corner when Amy McGivern’s header hit the post.
Any nerves among the Glentoran players and supporters were eased somewhat four minutes after the break when Demi Vance broke through the Crues defence to pick her spot with a deft finish to give the visitors the lead. This came just after Nadene Caldwell had headed the ball into the back of the net but had her effort disallowed.
The Glens continued to work hard to make the points safe and eventually did so on 68 minutes when Emily Wilson’s shot hit the crossbar and bounced behind the goal line before being scrambled away. The Crues defence protested strongly but the referee remained resolute and the goal stood.
Demi Vance then completed the scoring and doubled her own tally just inside injury time with a long range shot into the corner of the net to secure the points and the title.
Its been a remarkable campaign from the new Champions. With one game still to play, they still remain on track for an undefeated campaign having not lost any of their 17 league matches to date with just two draws with former champs Cliftonville blotting their record of fifteen winds from seventeen. The players, staff and Head
Photography by JOHNNY CALDWELL
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Sarah Tweedie, Jess Foy (c), Emma McMaster, Annie Timoney, Nadene Caldwell, Demi Vance, Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Emily Wilson
Subs: Jenna McKearney (for Tweedie) ,Kelly Bailie, Megan Neill, Rachel McIntyre Kascie Weir (for Wilson)
