Kim Turner says Glentoran must rise to the occasion when they face Cliftonville in a crucial Sports Direct Women’s Premiership encounter at Blanchflower Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).

Victory would reduce the Reds’ lead at the top of the table to two points, with the Glens still holding a game in hand.

With Sunday’s fixture the final league meeting of the season between the title rivals, Turner knows her side must seize the opportunity.

“This is a huge game in the context of our season, particularly as it is the last time we will face Cliftonville before the split,” said the Glens boss.

“They are in the box seat because they are five points clear at the top, but we now have a big opportunity to reduce that gap.

“It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss because this game could play a crucial role in deciding the destination of the league title.

“We are the reigning champions and we won that title through hard work and talent last season. Those are the qualities we must show again on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, we have lost our two meetings with Cliftonville this season. We did not do ourselves justice in the BetMcLean Cup final, which was a massive disappointment.

“We played well in spells during the recent league meeting at Solitude, but our game management was not where it needed to be and we lost the game.

“We have learned a lot from those two matches and now it is time to put those lessons into practice.

“We know what is riding on this game and we have to rise to the occasion.

“These are the matches you want to be involved in as a player or coach because they mean so much.

“We are relishing the challenge and determined to leave everything out on the pitch.”

Glentoran head into the contest in impressive form, having recorded three consecutive league victories since that defeat at Solitude.

The Glens also secured their place in the semi-finals of the Clearer Water Irish Cup with Friday night’s 2-1 victory over Linfield, and Turner believes her side are finding their best form at the right time.

“We had a difficult spell in July and questions were asked, but we never lost belief in our ability,” she said.

“The margins are so fine at this level that one or two results going against you can have a significant impact.

“As things stand, it is still in our own hands, and that is exactly where you want to be.

“That is down to the character this squad has shown and its determination to defend the title and bring more success to this club.

“It would have been easy to give up when things became difficult, but that is not what we are about at Glentoran.

“We stayed together and came through that period even more determined than before.

“I feel we are now producing the level of performance I know we are capable of, and that is vital at this stage of the season.

“We are going into games confident in our ability and coming away with the points again.

“I know we will be raring to go on Sunday and will do everything we can to take the game to Cliftonville.

“This is where it counts and where we can make this another season to remember for Glentoran.”