Q Radio Sport
Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan guided Cliftonville to an emphatic North Belfast derby win over Crusaders Strikers on Wednesday night.
The experienced midfielder was acting as player-manager for the Solitude clash after Marty Douglas stepped down earlier this week, with the Reds running out convincing 5-1 victors - as Heather Mearns netted a consolation goal for the Crues.
Callaghan was on the scoresheet alongside the returning Billie Simpson - last season’s Player of the Year winner - while Megan Moran was also on target, with Joana da Silva netting a brace.
The result sees Cliftonville move nine points clear of the Crues in fourth place and takes the Reds to within just five points of Sion Swifts in third, with both now having played 10 matches.
Derby delight....Goalscorers for @CVilleLadiesFC in 5-1 win v @CruesStrikers....Marissa Callaghan, Megan Moran, Billie Simpson and Joana Da Silva x2. #DanskeWomensPrem pic.twitter.com/tbdlO0jd7a
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 24, 2019
Pic courtesy Cliftonville FC. -
Linfield took advantage of Glentoran not playing to return to the top of the league as they recorded a landslide 13-1 victory at basement side Comber Rec.
The Blues have been in bullish mood recently - going into last week’s fixtures they were level on points with the Glens but had a 10-goal inferior goal difference, but now are eight goals better off than their Belfast rivals having also won 8-0 at Cliftonville last week.
The majority of the damage was done in the first half when Linfield netted nine goals without reply - with four more following after the break in the biggest win of the campaign to date.
Captain Kirsty McGuinness was once again the star of the show with five goals while her sister Caitlin netted twice, with Rebecca Bassett and Casey Howe also grabbing braces and Rebecca McKenna and Hayley O’Donnell one each.
The hosts kept battling until the end and were rewarded for their endeavour when captain Sarah McKillen netted a late consolation free-kick.
Glentoran sat out this round of action while Sion Swifts defeated Derry City 7-0 in a game that was brought forward to last week.
VIDEO | The latest goals & action from last night's @DanskeBank_UK Women's Premiership as @LinfieldLadies moved back to the top of the table and @CVilleLadiesFC caretaker boss @marissac_17 enjoyed a derby win in her first game in charge. #DanskeWomensPremhttps://t.co/hUj1n3TyPP
— NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) July 25, 2019
Here's how it looks after tonight's action. Updates on air am. #DanskeWomensPrem @LinfieldLadies @GlentoranWomen @SionSwiftsLFC @CVilleLadiesFC @CruesStrikers @derrycityfcw @ComberRecLadies
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 24, 2019
Next up: Toals Co. Antrim Women's Cup final Crues v Glens, Seaview, Saturday, 7.30pm pic.twitter.com/uHM0RGQoat
FT: #DanskeWomensPrem@ComberRecLadies 1 @LinfieldLadies 13
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 24, 2019
Straightforward for champs who go top, 3 points clear of @GlentoranWomen who didn't play tonight. But wonderful effort by Comber. Battled till final whistle & got deserved consolation goal - Sarah McKillen 👏 #Respect
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