STRIKERS UP AND RUNNING
Crusaders Strikers kicked off their Sports Direct Women's Premiership campaign with a three-goal defeat of newly promoted Ballymena United Women at Seaview.
The Strikers might have raced into the lead after just two minutes from the spot but visiting keeper Lucy Winton did well to deny Amy McGivern.
But the deadlock was broken soon after when Morganne Beggs struck a perfectly executed low shot into the corner.
Aimee-Lee Peachey then doubled their advantage with a deft lob over Winton seven minutes from half-time.
Despite a second half onslaught on the visiting defence it took the Crues until the 78th minute to bag their third goal when Darcy Boyle was on hand to tap home a Faith Johnston cross.
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, Hamilton, McGivern, McCann, Beggs, Peachey, Redmond, Chalmers, McLaren, Boyle, Rea subs Johnston, McNeill, McVarnock, Caldwell, Ingram, Eddis, McNeill
Ballymena United Women: Winton, Millar, McCartney, Bamford, Stothers, McDowell, Doherty, Henry, Burns, Campbell, Firth subs McClure, McDowell, Rainey, King, Manson
Substitution 
Substitution 
