Glentoran Women put down a major statement of intent with this emphatic home victory in the first domestic game of the 2024 season in the quarter final of the Women’s Premiership League Cup.
It was international striker Emily Wilson, just back from injury, who led the way with a hat trick, including goals in the 10th and 22nd minutes when she started the scoring by capitalising on mistakes in the Derry defence. In between those goals Derry’s was sent off for 2 very early yellow cards.
Skipper Jess Foy opened her account for the season with a one touch finish from the edge of the box, 8 minutes before the break.
Hat Trick star Emily Wilson
Wilson completed her hat trick 2 minutes after the break and the second half demonstrated the strength of the Glens’ squad with 5 substitutions made in total, including Kelly Bailie to start what is incredibly her 28th season as a Glens player and the very welcome sight of Ali McMaster returning to action after missing all last season with a serious injury.
The Glens had an outstanding last 15 minutes started by Kascie Weir (one of the subs) finishing off from a Rachel McIntyre cross for the 17-year old’s first senior goal, then shortly afterwards Kelly Bailie scored at the back post.
Another one of our subs, 19-year-old Megan Neill, made it 7 for the Glens with 6 minutes to go before Weir chipped the keeper for her second and the team’s eighth of the night.
Details of the semi final will be published here as soon as the draw is made.
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Aimee Neal, Jess Foy (c), Jenna McKearney, Emma McMaster, Nadene Caldwell, Aimee Kerr, Joely Andrews, Rachel McIntyre, Rachel Rogan, Emily Wilson
Subs: Sofie Keenan (for McKearney 46), Kelly Bailie (for Neal 46), Megan Neill (for Caldwell 58), Kascie Weir (for Kerr 66), Ali McMaster (for Wilson 58)
Goalscorers Kascie Weir and Megan Neill