Wednesday 12th April saw Glentoran travel away to face Linfield at the Hammer Complex. The game started off very competitively between the two rivals with both teams keen to make the best first impression. Glentoran was first to take charge with Rachel Rogan netting an early goal on the 7th minute despite Linfield’s keeper’s best efforts. Glentoran looked comfortable on the ball with Katie Martin and Samantha Kelly slipping balls out wide and through to the striker to put the Glens on the front foot. Defenders Jessica Foy and Caragh Milligan were kept on their toes with the pace of Linfield’s wingers Bell and McGuinness causing trouble out wide. Linfield’s first direct chance at goal came after a Mulholland challenge, from which she received a yellow card. Linfield captain Sarah Venny stepped up to take but could not beat the Glentoran wall, with her second attempted calmly c ollected by Ashleigh McKinnon. Glentoran was dominating play and creating chances which they unfortunately could not convert. Just before halftime Kirsty McGuinness equalised for Linfield from close range.
HT 1-1
As the second half kicked off, there was no change in tempo as both teams came back out fighting. Glentoran’s first chance of the half fell to Rogan through on goal but was denied by a fantastic recovery from the Linfield keeper who got fingertips to the ball. Roles reversed in the second half with McCarron dictating Linfield’s play trying to break down Glentoran’s resilient back four of Foy, Bailie, Mullholland and Milligan. Linfield took the lead from playmaker McCarron when the ball fell to her outside of the box. Glentoran did not back down continuing to play football when they were awarded a free kick, with the Kelly Bailie strike causing the keeper to palm away the dipping shot. Jessica Doran found McKinnon off her line in the closing minutes of the match to get Linfield’s third.
FT 3-1
Lots of positives to take from this game as we look forward to our next match against Crusaders Strikers on Wednesday 26th April at the Oval. We wish Ali McMaster a speedy recovery after suffering a suspected concussion.
Starting XI: McKinnon, Foy, Bailie, Mulholland, Milligan, McKenna, Martin, Caldwell. Kelly, McMaster, Rogan Subs: Rees (on for McMaster), Eddis, Swail (on for Martin), Murray