CLINICAL CLIFTONVILLE COME OUT TOP IN DERBY
Cliftonville remain just one point off Danske Bank Women’s Premiership league leaders Glentoran with two games in hand thanks to an impressive 3-1 victory at third-placed Crusaders Strikers.
Kirsty McGuinness opened the scoring for John McGrady’s side and while Amy McGivern equalised for the hosts at half-time, Northern Ireland internationals Marissa Callaghan and Toni-Leigh Finnegan each netted in the second half to secure the points.
The Reds opened the scoring midway through the first half as Callaghan found McGuinness and she hit an unstoppable shot from the left hand side - it flew sweetly into the top corner of the net.
Crusaders nearly responded immediately when Emily Wilson was through on a one-on-one with Cliftonville goalkeeper Rachel Norney but Wilson’s shot went just wide.
The Strikers persevered with a lot more pressure and eventually Crusaders’ McGivern found the back of the net from neat play by Wilson down the left.
Cliftonville’s second half ascendency paid off when Callaghan met another McGuinness cross and volleyed into the net.
More traffic in the Crusaders’ box led to a foul on McGuinness and a penalty was awarded.
Cliftonville’s substitute Toni-Leigh Finnegan coolly dispatched her penalty with aplomb.
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, McGivern, McDowell, McCann, Nelson, Armour, Otter, Chalmers, Wilson, McLaren, Rea subs F. Johnston (replaced McDowell 81), Redmond (not used), H. Johnston (not used), Eddis (replaced Otter 86), Boyle (replaced McCann 73)
Cliftonville Ladies: Norney, White, Moran, McDaniel, C. McGuinness, McConnell, K. McGuinness, Davis, Callaghan, McHenry, Weatherall subs McKimm (not used), Morgan (not used), Finnegan (replaced McConnell 59), Caldwell (replaced McHenry 79), Montgomery (not used)
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