Cliftonville – down to 10 players for the last 17 minutes – held out to knock Glentoran out of this season’s League Cup at Solitude tonight.
Both sides had the lead in a roller coaster first half. The Glens went behind after 6 minutes when after Ashleigh McKinnon blocked twice on the edge of the box the rebound fell to Caitlin McGuinness who hit home for the opening goal.
Despite that early setback Glentoran bounced back well to equalise and then take the lead. The Reds’ lead added only 8 minutes before Emily Wilson intercepted a loose back pass from Marissa Callaghan to make the scores level. Then just after the half hour mark Demi Vance hit a right foot shot past the Reds’ keeper.
The turning point came when Cliftonville equalised just before the break. While Glentoran defenders claimed in vain for a foul on Jess Foy, Abbie Magee had a goalbound shot deflected off Emma McMaster into the Glens’ net.
The hosts took the lead on the hour mark through a Louise McDaniel header. While that was a blow, the Glens received a boost 13 minutes later when Reds defender Toni Leigh Finnegan was sent off for a second yellow. Despite a number of substitutions the Glens were unable to take advantage so the holders go through to the final.
Photographs by JOHNNY CALDWELL
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Aimee Neal, Jess Foy (c), Emma McMaster, Jenna McKearney, Nadene Caldwell, Chloe McCarron, Demi Vance, Joely Andrews, Kascie Weir, Emily Wilson
Subs: Sofie Keenan (for McMaster 88), Kelly Bailie (for McKearney 75), Megan Neill (for Weir 88), Aimee Kerr, Rachel McIntyre, Rachel Rogan (for Neal 75)