CRUES BOUNCE BACK WITH WIN
Crusaders Strikers - who were edged out by Glentoran on the opening day - secured a 4-1 victory at home to Derry City.
Lisa Armour’s 14th minute goal opened the scoring for the Crues before Danielle McDowell doubled the home side’s lead from the penalty spot.
A great free-kick from Derry’s Grace Donaghey halved the deficit but Mairead McCann and Emily Wilson netted to seal a comfortable home win.
Armour’s opener was a half-volleyed effort into the net to open the scoring, with Julie Nelson of the home side hitting the bar and Paula McGrory finding herself straight through for the visitors but unable to convert.
The Strikers doubled their lead in the second half as Darcy Boyle’s shot hit a Derry hand and a penalty was awarded. McDowell stepped up and rolled the ball in.
Derry persisted and kept probing. Eventually, they won a free-kick and Donaghey lobbed a perfect shot over the Maddy Harvey Clifford.
The Strikers stepped up a gear and McCann added a third after Nelson’s shot was initially saved with Northern Ireland international striker Wilson scoring a fourth late on.
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, McDowell, McCann, Nelson, Armour, Otter, Chalmers, Wilson, McLaren, Boyle, Rea subs Archibald (replaced McLaren 76), F. Johnston (replaced McCann 83), Redmond (not used), H. Johnston (not used), Rodgers (replaced McDowell 77)
Derry City Women: Friel, Lafferty, McMullan, Canavan, Gallagher, McGrory, McGonagle, Cregan, Donaghey, Coyle, Doherty subs Barr (not used), Connolly (replaced Donaghey 85), Havlin (not used), O'Connor (replaced Cregan 78), Boyd (replaced Canavan 80)
Substitution 
Substitution 
