Glentoran Women closed the gap at the top of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership to league leaders Cliftonville Ladies to just four points as they hit double figures against Mid Ulster Ladies at Ashfield.
Imogen Lancaster opened the scoring virtually from kick off for her second goal since joining the Glens. Kerry Beattie and Caragh Hamilton both netted first-half braces for the Glens as they raced into an eight-goal half-time lead, with Imogen Lancaster, Joely Andrews and Casey Howe also bagging goals with an own goal from Mid Ulster’s Amy McGarrity.
The Glens made four tactical changes at half time and it took the new line up a while to settled as the visitors regrouped effectively until, remarkably, goalkeeper Lilie Crooks pulled a goal back with a long-range free kick in the 76th minute.
However, late goals from substitutes Jenna McKearney and Shannon Dunne ensured the champions hit double figures and reduced Cliftonville’s lead at the top of the table to four points. That’s an improvement of six points in a week.
The Glens are back in action next Wednesday as we travel to the Brandywell to face Derry City.
Glentoran Women: 1. Ashleigh McKinnon 3. Jess Foy (Captain) 4. Emma McMaster 5. Imogen Lancaster 14. Caragh Hamilton 16. Jennifer McDade 17. Joely Andrews 19. Kerry Beattie 20. Casey Howe 21. Kelly Bailie 97. Chloe McCarron
Subs 7. Makayla Mulholland (replaced Hamilton) 15. Megan Neill (replaced Foy) 18. Michelle McDaid (replaced Howe) 22. Cara Mervyn 26. Jenna McKearney (replaced Andrews) 27. Shannon Dunne (replaced Lancaster) 30. Emma Higgins
The Mortgage Shop Player of the Match Chloe McCarron
(Photography by Johnny Caldwell)
Goalscorer Casey Howe pays a poignant tribute to her late uncle.
