League leaders Cliftonville produced yet another authoritative display at Crewe Park, where they eased past Lisburn Rangers with a 3-0 victory.
The deadlock was broken after just seven minutes, when Teegan Lynch pounced on a hesitant clearance and drilled a low finish into the net from outside the box. Caitlin McGuinness doubled the Reds’ advantage in the 27th minute, calmly slotting beyond the onrushing Zara Maguire. She then completed her brace shortly after the hour mark, reacting quickest after sister Kirsty McGuinness had rattled the bar, tapping home from close range to round off a polished team performance.
Glentoran, meanwhile, proved far too strong for Larne Women at Inver Park, running out 7-1 winners. The visitors took command inside the opening ten minutes, with Aimee Kerr heading home from Emily Wilson’s pinpoint cross, before turning provider three minutes later to set up Naomi McLaughlin. Mia Moore added a third before Wilson got in on the act with a sublime curling effort into the top-right corner. Demi Vance converted from the penalty spot just before the interval and added another from the spot shortly after the restart to make it six. McLaughlin then notched her second with a powerful strike from distance, while Chloe Tully netted a stoppage time consolation for a spirited Larne side.
At the Brandywell, Linfield secured a hard fought 2-1 victory over Derry City. Rachel McLaren broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, unleashing a stunning long range effort that dipped under the bar and nestled into the top left corner. Grace McKimm doubled the Blues’ lead six minutes into the second half, nodding home from a corner kick. Derry responded almost immediately through Chelsea Scott, who finished neatly across goal from the right side of the area, but Linfield held firm to claim all three points.
Elsewhere, Crusaders Strikers and Lisburn Ladies shared the spoils in an evenly contested 1-1 draw at Seaview. The visitors took the lead nine minutes after the restart, when Stacey Murdough rose highest to head home Jessica Hall’s corner from the left. However, the Crues hit back in the 72nd minute, as Rebecca Mann turned in at the near post following a slick move down the right, ensuring the points were split in a result that reflected the balance of play.
