Something had to give in Lisburn this evening as after 4 games in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership both Glentoran and our recently promoted opponents were on 100% win records. Fortunately, it was Glentoran who stamped their authority as the game progressed, coming away with convincing a win that keeps us tied at the top with last season’s runners up Cliftonville Ladies.
There were 2 changes from last week’s win over Derry City, with fit again Nadene Caldwell returning to her regular place in midfield, with Sarah Tweedie making her first start of the season in place of the injured Emma McMaster.
The first half was the expected tight affair with just one goal separating the teams at the break. That came after 11 minutes when Kerry Beattie again opened the scoring when she shot beautifully from the edge of the Lisburn box into the top right corner.
The Glens doubled their lead 4 minutes into the second half when – after Joely Andrews was upended in the Lisburn box – Beattie converted the penalty for her second of the night and 15th of the season so far.
7 minutes later it was 3 after the in-form Emily Wilson opened her body and to place her shot in the bottom right corner. Then Beattie turned provider for Demi Vance who dispatched the ball for her own 8th goal of the season from midfield.
Ellie Mae Dickson pulled one back for Lisburn, but the strength in depth enjoyed by the Glens this season was illustrated in the last 15 minutes as goals from subs Aimee Kerr, Rachel Rogan (with her 9th of the season) and Kascie Weir took the visitors’ total to seven!
Next up for the Glens is a home game at the Blanchflower v Larne Women next Friday (28th June),
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Sarah Tweedie, Jess Foy (c), Aimee Neal, Jenna McKearney Nadene Caldwell, Chloe McCarron, Demi Vance, Joely Andrews, Emily Wilson and Kerry Beattie.
Subs: Sofie Keenan (for Caldwell 75), Kelly Bailie, Megan Neill, Kascie Weir (for Wilson 78), Rachel Rogan (for Beattie 78), Aimee Kerr (for Andrews 75).
