The Glens had possibly their biggest league challenge of the campaign so far, as 2 goals in the last 15 minutes finally made the game safe at Blanchflower this evening.
With top scorers Kerry Beattie and Emily Wilson both unavailable, Head Coach Kim Turner was forced to reshuffle with Rachel Rogan starting up front and Emma McMaster returning after missing last week’s game through injury.
After a very even first spell, it was Rogan and McMaster who linked up to open the scoring on 22 minutes as Rogie scored with a very clean finish. That was the striker’s 10th goal so far this season, a remarkable performance from a player who has been mostly used from the bench so far.
The next 50 minutes were largely dominated by Glentoran, but despite hitting the woodwork on a few occasions the scoreline stubbornly remained 1-0. In fact the visitors created a few opportunities to level the scores but fortunately the equaliser didn’t come.
With 15 minutes to go 17-year-old Kascie Weir – who had just been on the pitch as a sub for 3 minutes – hit home her own 6th of the season to give the Glens some breathing space. That’s how it stayed until a minute before home when skipper Jess Foy volleyed home to make things safe.
This result leaves the Glens with their 100% record now 3 points clear of Cliftonville Ladies who have a game in hand. This means next Thursday’s (4th July) game between the 2 dominant teams of recent years will the biggest test either will have faced so far. Kik off at the Blanchflower will be 7.45pm.
Scorers Kascie Weir and Jess Foy
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Sarah Tweedie, Jess Foy (c), Emma McMaster, Aimee Neal, Jenna McKearney Nadene Caldwell, Chloe McCarron, Demi Vance, Joely Andrews and Rachel Rogan
Subs: Sofie Keenan (for McKearney 56), Kelly Bailie, Megan Neill, Kascie Weir (for Rogan 71), Aimee Kerr (for Caldwell 71).