Northern Ireland international Kerry Beattie struck all four as in-form Glentoran followed last week's eight goals at the Brandywell
A Kerry Beattie quadruple ensured that Glentoran Women maintained their challenge at the top end of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership with a deserved 4-1 victory over Sion Swifts in a fast-paced and at times feisty encounter at the Ashfield Arena on Wednesday evening.
The first chance of the game fell to international winger Lauren Wade whose return from injury to the starting XI was a welcome boost for the club. Crisp approach play from Timoney, Beattie and Andrews created the chance for Wade to make a clean connection and force a save from Sion keeper Denise McElhinney. With the teams matching each other in the early stages it wasn’t long before Glentoran began to take control with Wade and Howe causing problems with their well-timed and penetrating runs beyond the opponent’s back line. On 20 minutes a dangerous Casey Howe cross was deflected for a corner as the Glens increased pressure in search of the opening goal. Shortly afterwards a clever run by Wade produced a fine stop by the alert McElhinney once again in the well-guarded Sion goal. Sustained pressure from the home side produced another good move on 25 minutes that ended with an accurate cross from Howe to the back post where Nadene Caldwell was unfortunate to volley into the side netting from a tight angle. Another excellent stop from McElhinney from a Beattie shot on 26 minutes suggested the breakthrough was getting closer. As Beattie burst down the left flank on 27 the Sion stopper raced out of her goal and brought the Glentoran striker down just outside the area resulting in a free kick for the home side. The resulting set-piece produced a pinpoint Howe cross to the back post that narrowly evaded defender Shannon Dunne’s late run into the six-yard area. Intense pressure from the home side continued as Andrews fired over from 12 yards on 32 minutes before the Glens finally broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. Impressive wing-play down the right from Wade found Howe whose quick feet on the edge of the penalty area set Beattie who composed herself to calmly convert. Beattie soon had her second after clever interplay between Andrews and Howe created the opportunity for Beattie to double her tally with another well taken finish from close range. However, with the home side confident of reaching the break with a comfortable lead, a firm strike from outside the box by Leontia McVarnock escaped Burns’ dive in the Glens goal to reduce the deficit for the away side.
Half-time Glentoran Women 2-1 Sion Swifts
As expected, Sion came out buoyed by the late revival at the end of the first half and demonstrated clear early intent in pursuit of an equaliser. Good approach play from the visitors in the early stages of the second period was, however, unable to breach a well marshalled defence led by the experienced Kelly Bailie whose coolness under pressure was evident throughout the game. A Howe strike on 52 following a Wade corner indicated that the Glens had regained their appetite for swift attacking play. Indeed, Beattie completed her hat-trick on 57 after Caldwell was brought down in the area following a strong run into the box. As the impressive Howe made way for Danielle Maxwell on 60, the home side continued exert pressure on the Sion defence. On 65 minutes an Andrews corner led to a goalmouth scramble and a hooked Caldwell attempt deflected on to the top of the bar. From the second corner the lively Caldwell was once again brought down amid a mêlée of players scrambling for possession of the ball. Despite the protests from Sion, referee Lauren Trainor pointed to the spot and Beattie confidently took her tally to four for the game on 75 minutes. Two further substitutions saw Rachel Rogan replace the injured Sam Kelly and Ali McMaster replace Lauren Wade as the Glens shuffled the pack a little to maintain the 4-1-2-3 shape to maintain the tree-goal cushion. With the game now all but won, a late marauding run from right-back Annie Timoney ended with a sweetly struck drive that crashed against the bar just prior to the final whistle.
A disciplined performance with plenty of positives to take into the remainder of the second round of fixtures following the international break next week. Next up is Linfield at home on Wednesday 16 June.
Full time Glentoran Women 4-1 Sion Swifts
Glentoran Women:30. Jacqueline Burns 2. Annie Timoney 3. Jessica Foy (captain) 6. Nadene Caldwell 15, Samantha Kelly 17. Joely Andrews 19. Kerry Beattie 21. Kelly Bailie 24. Lauren Wade 27. Shannon Dunne 28. Casey Howe Subs 1. Ashleigh McKinnon 10. Ali McMaster (for Kelly) 9. Rachel Rogan (for Wade) 18. Danielle Maxwell (for Howe) 22. Cara Mervyn
Photography by Johnny Caldwell