News 2024

After the first few weeks of our new season the league tables are slowly starting to take shape, here’s our weekly review of week four.

 

Last week we had three sides on 100% winning starts to the Championship season, this week it’s down to just the one, as slip ups by Bangor and St James Swifts mean that Ballymena United are the only side left with a 100% winning record this far.

United kept their record intact with a comfortable 9-0 win over Foyle Belles thanks to goals from Ellen McClure (x3), Ella McDowell (x2) Natasha Bamford, Niicole Burns, Lauren Hill and an og. The defeat leaves the Belles bottom of the league table with them also being the only side pointless in the division.

 

St.James Swifts perfect start to the season came to an end as they lost 1-3 at home to Sion Swifts who have now moved menacingly into second place in the table. Sion had led 2-0 thanks to two goals from Caoimhe Heron with the hosts then given a ray of hope thanks to a goal from Chloe Tully only for Rachel Barnaby to extinguish that hope with a late goal to seal the points for the visitors.

 

Bangor also suffered a setback with the Seasiders losing 4-5 at home to Ballyclare Comrades. Bangor started this one way too slowly and soon found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from a first minute strike from Annelli Moore and a second goal from Molly Weir. Amber Dempster pulled one back from the spot for the hosts on 29 minutes only for Rebecca Cousins to restore the two goal cushion on 36 minutes. A further home goal for Erin Hennity once again reduced the deficit for Bangor just before half time but when Moore netted her second shortly after the break the two goal difference was restored. Bangor to their credit refused to lie down with further strikes from Dempster and Hennity pulling them level but as they then pushed forward looking for a winner they were exposed at the back which allowed Nina Morrison to bag a late winner for the visitors.

 

There was almost another great comeback at Camlough as the hosts Camlough Rovers stormed into a three goal half time lead v St.Oliver Plunkett thanks to goals from Chloe Friary, Olivia Connolly and a well taken strike from Katie Brophy. Whatever was said at half time however certainly fired SOP up and they came out fighting pulling two goals back through Cara Mervyn and Ellie Kearns. They must have thought they were level when a late effort hit the post but ultimately the breakthrough didn’t come and the game ended 3-2 to Camlough. Highlights from this game can be found elsewhere on our social media.

 

In the divisions final game this week Belfast Celtic picked up their first win of the season with a thumping 7-1 win at Comber Rec. An Emma Louise McGonnell hat trick did most of the damage in this one and she was ably supported by goals from Katherine O’Hare, Caoimhe McTasney, Billie Simpson and Sara-Louise McLaughlin. Comber’s sole strike came from Carys Woods.

 

Greenisland Women and Ballymoney United Ladies continue to lead the way in Division One with both sides maintaining their 100% wining starts to the season this week with victories over Rosario and Ballynahinch Ladies respectively. Armagh City picked up their first win of the season defeating Kilmore Rec whilst in the divisions’ final game Ambassadors 100% winning start to the season came to an end as they were held 0-0 by Ballyclare Comrades Reserves.

 

Strabane Athletic and Craigavon City have moved to the top of the Division Two table following strong wins this week over Ballymena United Reserves and the 22nd Ladies respectively. Elsewhere in the Division the two Lisburn based sides – Lisburn Distillery and Lisburn Ladies Swifts – both picked up their first wins of the season to move into mid table positions.

 

Two of Division Threes previously unbeaten sides Lisbellaw and Carrick Rangers Falcons met this week with Lisbellaw emerging victorious to move clear at the top of the standings. Another unbeaten side Maiden City would doubtless have hoped to have shared that top place in the table but, after leading 2-0, they were pegged back eventually drawing 2-2 with Portadown Ladies . Elsewhere there were wins for Belfast Ravens and Ballymoney United Reserves.

 

Antrim Town and Raceview lead the way in Division Four with both sides retaining their 100% winning starts to the season following wins over Moneyslane and Ballynahinch Olympic. A late winner from Caoimhe Shaw gave Draperstown their first win of the season with victory over Belfast Swifts with Belfast Ravens II also picking up their first three points of the season after they defeated Lisburn Rangers Swifts. Highlights from Raceviews game versus Ballynahinch Olympic will be online on our social media shortly.

 

Big wins for Ards Rangers and Oxford Sunnyside aligned with a draw between the divisions league leaders Valley Rangers and St Marys mean that the Division Five table is now starting to bunch up as the quest for promotion continues. Rathfriland also kept themselves amongst that early leading pack following victory over Shorts Women.

 

There were no less than twenty three goals across the 4 matches this week in Division six with the big winners being Carrick Rangers Falcons Reserves and Greenisland Reserves who now sit jointly at the top of the table with proud 100% winning records.