Gracie Conway produced a superb hat-trick as Glentoran moved to the top of the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership table with a 4-2 victory over Crusaders Strikers at Seaview on Friday evening.

Returning to league action for the first time in three weeks, Kim Turner’s side delivered an impressive attacking display to maintain their perfect start to the season and extend their unbeaten run.

The Glens made the breakthrough after 16 minutes when Aimee Kerr’s initial effort was saved, but Conway reacted quickest to turn home the rebound and give the visitors an early advantage.

Glentoran doubled their lead eight minutes later. Conway was again involved, pulling the ball back for Kerr, who finished confidently from close range to make it 2-0.

The visitors continued to control proceedings and added a third goal seven minutes before the interval. A well-worked move involving Kerr and Mia Moore down the right flank created the opening for Conway, who calmly slotted home her second of the evening and Glentoran’s third.

With a commanding 3-0 lead at the break, the Glens looked in complete control and appeared to be cruising towards another clean-sheet victory.

Crusaders Strikers, however, mounted a response midway through the second half when a corner was not fully cleared and Mia Fitzsimmons was on hand to force the ball home from close range.

The goal was the first Glentoran had conceded in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership this season.

The home side set up a tense finale ten minutes from time when Rebecca Mann raced onto a through ball and finished beyond Ashleigh McKinnon to reduce the deficit to a single goal.

Despite the late pressure, Glentoran remained composed and sealed all three points deep into stoppage time.

With virtually the final kick of the game, Conway completed her hat-trick in spectacular style, unleashing a stunning long-range effort into the top corner to cap an outstanding individual performance and secure a deserved 4-2 victory.

The result maintains Glentoran’s 100 per cent start to the league campaign and sees the Glens move level on points with defending champions Cliftonville at the summit of the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership.

Crusaders Strikers 2 – 4 Glentoran Women 

Glentoran: McKinnon, Foyle, Keenan, Caldwell, Kerr, G Conway, Vance, McKearney, Crompton, Moore.

Substitutes: McMaster, Butler, Bailie, Rogan, Timoney, D Conway, Maguire.