On a night of celebration at Ashfield, newly crowned Glentoran Women ensured an unbeaten Sports Direct Premiership campaign with this fairly straightforward 2-0 win over Linfield Ladies. The team also took its goals for tally to 101 in just 18 games with just 7 conceded and ultimately – for all the debate over goal difference, away goals. Etc in the event of a tie – won the league by 6 clear points over outgoing Champions Cliftonville. This was the squad’s third title win in 4 years and given the strength of the Reds squad, possibly the best.
With the only change in the starting line up the inclusion of Jenna McKearney at right back, the Glens opened the scoring on 13 minutes when Kerry Beattie cut back for Demi Vance to hit home her first goal of a double. The score stayed 1-0 until the break after the sort of hard-fought battle we would expect between any 2 teams representing these age-old rivals.
The second half continued in a similar vein and it was NI international Vance who made the 3 points safe with 10 minutes to go. Substitute Kascie Weir, who just turned 17 last week – played a wonderful first time pass into the path of Demi Vance and the Glens number 8 ran forward before hitting an unstoppable drive into the Blues’ top corner. This was Vance’s 4th goal of the week and her 12th goal of a season in which she played most of her football in defence. No mean feat.
So a perfect end to the season for the Glens with the game followed by the presentation of the trophy to Glens skipper Jess Foy by NIFL Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor. An excellent presentation ceremony and display worthy of these excellent champions.
Just one game left as the Glens head to the National Stadium on Saturday 21st October to face Cliftonville in the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup Final. As winners for the past 4 seasons Kim Turner’s team will know what’s expected.
A full tribute to the Champions with Johnny Caldwell’s photographs and previews to the Cup Final will appear here over the next few days.
Photography by JOHNNY CALDWELL and PACEMAKER PRESS
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Jenna McKearney, Jess Foy (c), Emma McMaster, Annie Timoney, Nadene Caldwell, Demi Vance, Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Emily Wilson
Subs: Sarah Tweedie, Kelly Bailie (for Foy 89), Megan Neill (for Caldwell 89), Rachel McIntyre (for McKearney 86), Kascie Weir (for Timoney 70), Rachel Rogan (for Wilson 70)
