CRUES EDGE NORTH BELFAST DERBY
Crusaders edged out Cliftonville 2-1 in Sunday’s re-arranged North Belfast derby thanks to goals from Morganne Beggs and Amy McGivern.
It was a closely-fought and evenly-matched encounter with plenty of opportunities for both sides, with the Crues scoring early in each half with a goal from Clare Carson - who moved across the North Belfast divide this year - netting for the Reds in-between.
Beggs opened the scoring in the 11th minute after being assisted by in-form striker Emily Wilson, but Carson levelled for the Reds three minutes before the break.
McGivern restored the Crues lead after Wilson’s initial effort was saved, and whilst the Reds made a late push for an equaliser - Marissa Callaghan was a threat throughout - they could not level.
The Reds stay second-from-bottom with three points while Crusaders stay fourth but move up to nine points from their opening five games.
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, Hamilton, McGivern, McDowell, Beggs, Nelson, Redmond, Wilson, Cameron, McLaren, Rea subs Wright, Mearns, McCann, Johnston, Otter
Cliftonville Ladies: Currie, McHenry, White, Carson, Thompson, Rooney, Taggart, Morgan, Callaghan, Connolly, Weatherall subs Welsh, Canavan, Montgomery, McConnell, Wilton
Substitution 
Substitution 
