SION HIT FIVE TO MAINTAIN TITLE HUNT
Sion Swifts secured a statement victory in their pursuit of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership title with a 5-2 victory at Cliftonville.
The Reds had gone into the match in fine form having drawn at Glentoran the previous week and defeated Crusaders 5-1 prior to that, yet Sion were too good on the night.
Donna Kay Henry netted twice for the Strabane-based side with captain Kendra McMullan, Ciara Grant and Kristin Desmond also finding the net.
Megan Moran and Marissa Callaghan were both on target for Cliftonville, who are now seven points off the top three.
McMullan opened the scoring early for Sion with a back-post finish but Moran levelled proceedings for the hosts seven minutes later as she forced the ball home.
Grant's sweet strike restored Sion's lead before Desmond and Kay Henry netted before the break to put the visitors firmly in control.
A penalty from Callaghan midway through the second period restored brief hope for the Reds but they were extinguished for good three minutes from time when Kay Henry scored her second, and Sion’s fifth, from the spot.
Sion move to within five points of league leaders Linfield - who did not play due to their participation in the Champions League - and still have a game in hand, while they are three off Glentoran.
Cliftonville Ladies: C. Callaghan, Mailey, Moran, Simpson, Orr, McConnell, M. Callaghan, Connolly, Grieve, Weatherall, McVarnock subs Zubier (replaced Mailey 20), Devine (replaced Simpson 47), Wilton (not used), Matthews (replaced McVarnock 85)
Sion Swifts Ladies: McClure, Connor, Hyndman, Burns, McCarter, Grant, McMullan, McGlynn, Desmond, Brand, Henry subs Brogan (not used), Walsh (not used), McDaid (replaced Desmond 86), Crompton (replaced McGlynn 77), Carr (replaced McMullan 82)
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