A goal in either half from Northern Ireland internationals Nadene Caldwell and Kerry Beattie saw holders Glentoran through to their fifth consecutive Electric Ireland Women's Challenge Cup (Irish Cup) Final following this well contested semi final with Sion Swifts Ladies at Stangmore Park, Dungannon this evening.
Kim Turner was able to name an unchanged starting line-up for the fifth consecutive game and all their experience and resilience was called for from the start
Early on it looked like it would take something special to break the deadlock in the even start to the game. That came on 23 minutes as the Glens were starting to get on top when midfielder Caldwell – a lynchpin of the Glens’ recent successes in this tournament – found herself the time and space to give Swifts keeper Jennifer Currie no chance against her spectacular and unstoppable 30-yard screamer.
A few minutes later Demi Vance connected well with Chloe McCarron’s cross but her goal was ruled offside. The Glens looked the more likely to find the net as the first half progressed with Caldwell almost doubling her tally from distance while Joely Andrews was denied by Currie. Kerry Beattie had a decent chance to score just before the break but the scoreline remained unchanged when half time came.
Glentoran started the second half the stronger side and on the hour mark doubled their lead. Emily Wilson’s pacy and direct run down the right wing caught out the Sion defence, allowing top scorer Beattie to slot home into the empty net for her 34th goal of the season.
Apart from a wide header from Teegan Lynch, Glentoran didn’t look in any great difficulty as the game then ran out 2-0 to the holders.
As Cliftonville Ladies won the other semi-final, Northern Ireland’s current 2 best sides will face each other in the Final. That will take place on Saturday 21st October at the National Stadium. Further details to follow.
Glentoran Women: Ellie Scott, Sarah Tweedie, Jess Foy (c), Emma McMaster, Annie Timoney, Nadene Caldwell, Demi Vance, Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Emily Wilson
Subs: Ashleigh McKinnon, Jenna McKearney (for Tweedie), Kelly Bailie (for McMaster 85), Megan Neill (for Andrews 88), Kascie Weir (for Wilson 81), Rachel Rogan (for Beattie 76)
