Two wonder strikes from skipper Jess Foy and a double for top scorer Kerry Beattie led the way to a hard worked but ultimately comfortable victory over Lisburn Ladies in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership at the Bluebell Stadium this evening.
Head Coach Kim Turner was able to name the same starting line up for the third consecutive game. But it wasn’t an easy start for the Glens as a well organised and hard-working home defence managed to effectively block supply to Kerry Beattie for the first half hour.
The breakthrough finally came on 29 minutes when after a prolonged goalmouth scramble, Emma McMaster got the final tough to push past keeper Jessica Poots into the Lisburn goal. Not the most aesthetically pleasing goals the Glens will score this season, but exactly what the team needed after a frustrating first third of the match.
It was just 3 minutes before the Glens’ second, and what a goal it was. Jess Foy took possession in a seemingly safe position about 25 yards out. The skipper thought otherwise and hit an unstoppable drive into the top corner. That’s how it stayed until the break.
Jess wasn’t finished for the evening and 2 minutes after the break made the game safe with a spectacular overhead kick that took the Lisburn defence completely by surprise.
Top scorer Kerry Beattie then got in on the act. First, on 53 minutes. Hit an unstoppable volley to make it 4, then with 12 minutes left, hit her 30th of the season with a well taken penalty after Chloe McCarron was fouled.
As Cliftonville Ladies weren’t playing this evening, this stretched the Glens’ lead at the top of the table to 6 points. Next week the Glens entertain Ballymena United at Ashfield (8th September).
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 (for Scott 80), Jenna McKearney (for Tweedie 58), Kelly Bailie (for McMaster 68), Megan Neill (for Andrews 80), Kascie Weir (for Wilson 80), Rachel McIntyre
Photography by Scott Martin
