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WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 30 JUNE - 5 JULY

As we move into the mid-season interval it’s time to look to look back at last week’s action before our clubs take a well deserved rest break.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
It will be Sion Swifts who enter the break leading the Championship following a fine 3-0 victory over Ballymena United at Melvin Park this week, although it was very late on in the game before the floodgates opened. The game looked set to end without a goal but on 87 minutes Zoe Green broke the deadlock for the hosts and this was then followed up by two strikes in injury time by Cache Crumlish-Hawes to ensure they maintained their lead at the top of the table. The result however will have left a serious dent in Ballymena’s aspirations for a speedy return to the Premiership with the Co.Antrim side now some eight points adrift of the top of the standings.
 
St James however remained well in the Championship chase, winning 3-0 at Comber Rec thanks to goals from Anna Whibley, Chloe Doak and Katierose Rice in a result which sees them remain in second place only two points behind the leaders Sion Swifts.
 
Bangor also kept themselves well in the hunt after easily disposing of basement side Foyle Belles 11-1 with Amber Dempster leading the way with a hat-trick which takes the Bangor strikers tally up to 25 league goals for the season. Dempster was ably assisted on the night by Francesca Costa i Fassunge (x2), Robyn McFadden (x2), Leah Robinson, Janine Jess. Lydia Clarke and Toni Stewart with the Belles sole response coming from Michaela McGilloway. This result leaves Bangor in third place with four points separating them from leaders Sion Swifts.
 
Elsewhere a first half salvo from Belfast Celtic thanks to goals from Cathy Kelly, Roisin Bolger, Niamh Adams and Katherine O’Hare saw them lead 4-0 at half time against Camlough Rovers ,and although the visitors rallied in the second half through a Leanne Domican double the mountain was too big to climb with the hosts eventually winning the game 4-2.
 
In the Championship’s final game this week Ballyclare Comrades and St.Oliver Plunkett drew 1-1 with SOP having held the lead through a Niamh McGonigle for most of the game only for Deborah McCarthy to secure a point for the hosts with a late strike on 88 minutes.
 
DIVISION ONE
After brushing aside Rosario this week a record of Played 10 Won 10 for Greenisland Women in Division One unsurprisingly means they lead Division One by a comfortable eight points going into the break. Ambassadors dropped points in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Ballyclare Comrades Reserves – a result which, coupled with Ballymoney’s victory at Ballynahinch, means that the Ballymoney side have leapfrogged their rivals from Co.Armagh to move into second place in the table. Elsewhere in Division One Armagh City Ladies recent return to form continued with a fine win at Kilmore Rec.
 
DIVISION TWO
It’s “as you were” in Division Two this week as both Strabane Athletic and Craigavon City managed straightforward victories over Ballymena Utd Reserves and the 22nd Ladies respectively. These results means that Strabane go into the break three points clear of second placed Craigavon, however Craigavon do have a game in hand. Elsewhere Lisburn Ladies Swifts defeated Banbridge Town.
 
DIVISION THREE
Divisional leaders Lisbellaw returned to action this week with a win at Carrick Rangers Falcons, this result meaning they remain seven points clear at the top of the table. Second placed Belfast Ravens edged home against Mid Ulster Reserves, with Maiden City staying in third place after defeating Portadown. In the basement battle Ballymoney Reserves brushed aside Dromara Village, a result which leaves the Dromara based side some 13 points from safety.
 
DIVISION FOUR
Antrim Town and Raceview stay joint top of Division Four after both recorded fine away wins this week over Moneyslane and Ballynahinch Olympic respectively, with Lisburn Rangers Reserves and Belfast Swifts also victorious.
 
DIVISION FIVE
Valley Rangers enter the break with a five point advantage at the top of Division Five following a hard fought win at St Marys. The sides were level 0-0 at half time but a second half blitz by Rangers saw them eventually winning 4-0 – highlights from this game will be on our social media later this weekend. Elsewhere there were victories for Ards Rangers and Oxford Sunnyside with Shorts & Rathfriland drawing 2-2.
 
DIVISION SIX
In Division Six there were comprehensive wins for league leaders Greenisland Seconds, Carrick Rangers Falcons II and First Bangor Ladies, with Wellington Rec receiving three points after Bloomfield were unable to complete their fixture.
 
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
The only game in the Development league this week saw Hanover defeating Ballynagross Ladies 4-1
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 23 - 28 JUNE

Well done once again to all of our NIWFA clubs for producing such an action packed week of football.  Here’s our round up of all the action.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
A rare slip up by St. James Swifts has allowed Sion Swifts to move three points clear at the top of the NIWFA Championship table. The Belfast side were only able to draw at Camlough Rovers although in hindsight they have to thank captain Siobhan Bell for ensuring that they went home with something to show for their efforts. Rovers had stormed into a three goal lead thanks to goals from Leanne Domican, Olivia Connolly and Ellen McCartney but captain fantastic Bell then led a revival netting a superb hat-trick to ensure the game ended 3-3.
 
Sion Swifts had no such stress to deal with securing a 3-1 win at Ballyclare Comrades thanks to goals from Cache Crumlish-Hawes, Brooke Milliigan and Hannah Gibson with the Comrades response coming from an injury time goal from Deborah McCarthy.
 
Bangor kept themselves in the race remaining in third place following a comprehensive 9-0 win over St.Oliver Plunkett thanks to strikes from Robyn McFadden (x4) , Amber Dempster (x3) and Francesca Costa i Fassunge and Leah Robinson.  However Ballymena’s title challenge took another dent as goals from Sara-Louise McLaughlin and Emma Louise McGonnell saw them lose 0-2 at a highly impressive Belfast Celtic.
 
In the division’s final game bottom side Foyle Belles forfeited their game at Comber Rec to give the home side a valuable three points with the Derry based side now some nine points adrift at the foot of the table.
 
DIVISION ONE
Greenisland continue to storm their way through Division One, with their latest victims being Ballynahinch Ladies – a result which in turn ensured that the Co.Antrim based side maintained their 100% winning start to season 2024.  What’s even more remarkable is that they have only conceded one goal so far all season!
Ambassadors remain in second spot after defeating Rosario 2-1 but the gap at the top remains at seven points.  In the division’s final game played this week, credit must go to Armagh City Ladies who fought back from 3-1 down to defeat Ballyclare Comrades Reserves 4-3 for only their second win of the season. You can watch highlights from the Armagh v Ballyclare game elsewhere on our social media.
 
DIVISION TWO
In Division Two Strabane Athletic made the most of a free week for leaders Craigavon City by beating Coleraine 4-0 and by doing so moving three points clear at the top of the Division Two table. That said Craigavon do have a game in hand so there’s still plenty to play for in the second division. In the division’s others games this week Lisburn Ladies Swifts defeated the 22nd Ladies whilst Banbridge Town and Ballymena United Reserves battled out a 1-1 draw.
 
DIVISION THREE
With leaders Lisbellaw not having a game this week it was the ideal chance for Belfast Ravens to close the gap at the top of the Division 3 table .  However it was a chance they couldn’t take as they lost 2-4 to Carrick Rangers Falcons. Elsewhere Portadown Ladies defeated Ballymoney Reserves and Mid Ulster Ladies Reserves continued their fine winning run of late defeating Maiden City Ladies to record their fifth win in a row.
 
DIVISION FOUR
Antrim Town and Raceview both recorded fine wins this week to ensure they both remain locked on level points at the top of Division Four with the division’s other games seeing wins for Belfast Swifts and Ballynahinch Olympic.
 
DIVISION FIVE
Second placed St.Marys and third placed Ards Rangers battled out a 2-2 draw last Sunday, a result which allowed leaders Valley Rangers to move three points clear at the top of the table after defeating Comber Rec Reserves. Elsewhere there were wins for Donegal Celtic and Oxford Sunnyside.
 
DIVISION SIX
Just like their senior counterparts, Greenisland Women II’s continued their 100% winning run this week, defeating 22nd Ladies II to open up an eight point gap at the top of the Division 6 table. There were also wins in this division for Wellington Rec, Bloomfield and First Bangor.
 
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
The only game in the Development league this week saw Dungiven Celtic remain in second place following victory over Belfast Ravens III.
 
Local Women Sport SUPER CUP
And finally one final game in the last sixteen of the Local Women Sport to report on as a highly impressive Greenisland romped home against an under strength SOP on Friday night to power their way into the quarter finals of the competition. Highlights from this game will be online on our social media with a round up from the rest of the games in the Super Cup round of sixteen now available to view elsewhere on our social media.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 16 - 21 JUNE

As ever there was plenty to report on across all levels of the NIWFA in the last week – here’s our round up all the action.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
We have new leaders in the Championship in Sion Swifts who recovered from two goals down to win 4-3 at Bangor and in doing so picking up the three points that would take them to the top of the division. The Swifts had got off to a poor start in this one with two defensive errors seeing Lydia Clarke and Amanda Morton taking full advantage to give the Seasiders a two goal lead but then, not one but two, penalty decisions by referee Andy Rea (the first for a foul in the box, the second for handball following a corner) allowed Rachel Barnaby to calmly convert on both occasions to tie the game. After this the Swifts dominated the remainder of the half with two further strikes from Hannah Gibson giving them a 4-2 lead at the break. Second half saw Bangor coming back into the game with Amber Dempster netting to reduce the deficit to 4-3 but despite all their efforts they couldn’t find a leveller and it was Sion who took the points. Highlights from this game are now available to view on our social media.
 
In the division’s other top four game, Ballymena Untied and St.James Swifts drew 2-2 in a highly entertaining game at the Showgrounds. St James had led in this one on two occasions thanks to goals from Katierose Rice and Chloe Tully, however a goal from Ellen McClure and an unfortunate og from Lauren Mulligan meant that the spoils were shared.
 
Camlough Rovers bounced back from an early Regan Montgomery strike for Comber Rec to ease home 7-2 thanks mainly to a four goal salvo from Olivia Connolly. Connolly’s tally was assisted by goals from Ellen McCartney, Chloe Friary and Leanne Domican with Sophie Laughlin netting Comber’s second.
 
Foyle Belles’ disappointing season continued as they lost 0-4 at home to SOP, with goals from Niamh McLaughlin, Cara Mervyn and a double from Ellie Kearns doing the damage, whilst in the divisions final game Ballyclare Comrades and Belfast Celtic failed to score a goal between them as their game ended 0-0.
 
DIVISION ONE
A combination of leaders Greenisland cruising past Kilmore Rec and Ballymoney United losing to Ballyclare Comrades Reserves means that the County Antrim side have opened up a seven point gap at the top of the Division One table.
Ambassadors also made the most of Ballymoney’s slip up by defeating Armagh 3-1 to move into second place in the table whilst in the division’s final game this week, Ballynahinch defeated Rosario.
 
DIVISION TWO
A superb 1-0 win for Craigavon City at the home of league leaders Strabane Athletic closed what had been a three point gap at the top of Division 2 to ensure that the two sides are now level on points at the summit.
Coleraine won their big derby game against Ballymena Reserves 2-1 whilst in a feisty encounter which featured some cracking goals the 22nd Ladies brushed aside bottom side Banbridge Town 5-1 – highlights from this game to appear on our social media.
 
DIVISION THREE
Lisbellaw remain top of Division 3 following victory over Portadown, although second placed Belfast Ravens ensured that the gap remains at only four points following victory at Dromara Village.
In the Division’s other games, Maiden City and Mid Ulster Ladies Reserves defeated Ballymoney Utd Reserves and Carrick Rangers Falcons respectively.
 
DIVISION FOUR
It was home comforts all the way this week in Division 4 with all four home sides – Antrim Town, Raceview, Belfast Swifts and Ballynahinch Olympic all securing three points. It’s still neck and neck between Antrim Town and Raceview at the top of the Division 4 table with the two sides level on points, some ten points clear of third placed Draperstown Celtic.
 
DIVISION FIVE
Valley Rangers secured a fine 3-1 win over Oxford Sunnyside on Friday night to retain a four point gap at the top of Division 5 although St.Marys (who have a game in hand on the leaders) ensured they remained well in the hunt following victory over Shorts. Donegal Celtic will also be ecstatic this week as they picked up their first points of the season after defeating Rathfriland 1-0, whilst in the division’s final game of the week the North Down derby saw Ards Rangers draw with Comber Rec Reserves.
 
DIVISION SIX
Greenisland Women II’s perfect start to the 2024 season continued with victory over Bloomfield, with Carrick Rangers Falcons II, Wellington Rec and Holywood Ladies also picking up three points this week in Division Six.
 
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
And finally in our development league, Civil Service moved five points clear after victory over Dungiven Celtic, with Hanover and Belfast Ravens III battling out a scoreless draw.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 2 - 7 JUNE

It was a change of competition for the vast majority of sides within the NIWFA this week as the various league cup competitions got underway.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE CUP
The semi-finals of this seasons Championship league cup will feature Sion Swifts, Ballymena United, Belfast Celtic and St James Swifts, all of whom progressed comfortably through their quarter finals earlier this week.
 
St James found theirs the easiest path of progress defeating Comber Rec 6-0 thanks to goals from Chloe Doak (x2), Brooke Bain (x2) and single strikes from Lauren Smyth and Roise Thompson.
 
Sion Swifts were given a right fright when, after leading 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Caominhe Heron, Cache Crumliish-Hawes and Louise Harkin, they were drawn back into the game by two Comrades goals from Nina Morrison and Rebecca Cousins before two late goals from Grace Dickson and a second from Crumlish-Hawes saw them home with a 5-2 win.
 
Ballymena United were made to fight all the way by a battling Foyle Belles side but goals from Natasha Bamford, Emma Tenant and Jennifer Montgomery saw them home by 3-1 with the Belles strike coming from Mia Doherty.
 
And in the final quarter final Belfast Celtic fought back from going a goal behind in the first minute to a Chelsea Edwards goal to win through 4-1 with a double from Niamh Adams and goals from Cathy Kelly and Grace Feerick seeing them home. Highlights from this game will be on our social media.
 
DIVISION ONE LEAGUE CUP
There were three quarter final ties played this week in Division One with Ballyahinch Ladies, Greenisland and Ambassadors moving into the last four. The star of the show in the quarter finals was Ambassadors Lucy Redmond who kept up her red hot form this season with another hat-trick, this time against Kilmore Rec.
 
DIVISION TWO LEAGUE CUP
The first two semi-finalists in the Division Two league cup are Craigavon City who defeated the 22nd Ladies and Lisburn Ladies Swifts who eventually got through following a dramatic penalty shoot out win against a battling Coleraine Women side after the sides fought out a 1-1 draw.
 
DIVISION THREE LEAGUE CUP
Maiden City had to overturn a half time deficit to eventually overcome Mid Ulster Reserves 3-2 to make the semi-finals where they will be joined by Belfast Ravens who romped home at Dromara Village thanks mainly to a hat-trick from Sarah Jane Jamieson.
 
DIVISION FOUR LEAGUE CUP
Raceview and Antrim Town’s impressive seasons so far continued as both sides won easily to reach the semi-finals at the expense of Ballynahinch Olympic and Lisburn Rangers Athletic respectively. Draperstown Celtic will also feature in that semi-final draw after defeating Belfast Ravens II.
 
DIVISION FIVE LEAGUE CUP
The closest game from the Division 5 quarter finals saw Ards Rangers eventually defeat Oxford Sunnyside thanks to a penalty shoot out win after the sides drew 3-3 at Knockramer Park. Rangers will be joined in the draw by Comber Rec Reserves, Valley Rangers and St.Marys.
 
DIVISION SIX LEAGUE CUP
The last four of the Division Six league cup will consist of Bloomfield, First Bangor, Wellington Rec and Greenisland Women II with each of these sides eyes now well focused on winning their first ever NIWFA silverware.
 
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
And finally it’s well done to Dungiven Celtic and Ballynagross Ladies who both won their respective development league matches against Hanover and Belfast Ravens III this week.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 26 - 31 MAY

It’s our weekly review of all things NIWFA football which as ever this week had lots to report on.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
It’s all change at the top of the Championship this week as a fantastic 4-2 win for St James Swifts over Bangor saw the Belfast side moving to top of the table. The Swifts opened the scoring in this one through Chloe Tully and although Bangor then levelled through Sarah McKillen a further strike from Tully along with goals from Chloe Doak and Roise Thompson saw them open up a 4-1 lead before Amber Dempster pulled one back for Bangor. This result saw the Swifts move to the top of the Championship table although they are level on points with Ballymena United who made the most of Bangor’s slip up by easing past Comber Rec 8-1 thanks to goals from Ellen McClure (x3), Megan Henry (x2), Natasha Bamford, Chelsea Millar and Ella McDowell with Combers sole reply coming from Lucy Carville.
 
Elsewhere Sion Swifts stayed well in the mix for promotion as they brushed aside St.Oliver Plunkett 4-0 with Brooke Milligan (x2), Rachel Barnaby and Hannah Gibson ensuring it would be a long journey home for the Belfast based side. This result keeps Sion in third place in the table only two points off the joint leaders.
 
Camlough Rovers bounced back from conceding an early goal to Anneli Moore to win 3-2 at Ballyclare Comrades although when Rebecca Cousins restored the Comrades lead on 80 minutes (following a well taken goal from Megan McClure which had levelled the game) the three points didn’t seem destined for the County down based side. The entire game changed less than a minute after that second Comrades goal when a second yellow card for Ballyclare’s Beth Galbriath saw them reduced to ten players for the final 10 minutes. Step up Katie Brophy who hammered home the resultant free kick from distance and they then went on to grab the winner as Olivia Connolly gave the home defence “twisted blood” before powering a shot home into the top corner in stoppage time. Highlights from what proved to be a highly entertaining game are now available to view on our social media.
 
In the Division’s final game this week basement side Foyle Belles will be kicking themselves after losing 5-4 to Belfast Celtic despite having led 3-2 at half time. First half goals from the Belles Kate Patton (x2) and Mia Doherty had saw them lead 3-2 with the Celts two replies coming from Niamh Adams and Sara Louise McLaughlin. Second half however Celtic were a different side with goals from Roisin Bolger (x2) and Emma Louise McGonnell seeing them home despite Patton completing her hat-trick for the Derry side.
 
DIVISION ONE
Greenisland have now opened up a five point gap at the top of Division One following a fine win for themselves over Armagh City coupled with a draw for second placed Ballymoney United who were held 1-1 by Ambassadors. Ballyclare Comrades Reserves won 6-3 at Rosario with the division’s final game seeing Ballynahinch Ladies pick up their first win of the season as they defeated bottom side Kilmore Rec.
 
DIVISION TWO
Strabane continue to lead the way in Division Two from Craigavon City after both sides secured comfortable wins this week against Banbridge Town and Ballymena Reserves respectively. In the divisions final game this week Lisburn Ladies Swifts and Coleraine drew 1-1
 
DIVISION THREE
Leaders Lisbellaw dropped their first points of the season this week as they were held 2-2 by Maiden City with Carrick Rangers Falcons ensuring they made the most of that slip to close the gap at the top after easily disposing of Dromara Village. In the Division’s other two games Belfast Ravens beat Ballymoney Reserves and Mid Ulster beat Portadown.
 
DIVISION FOUR
Raceview and Antrim Town both made it six wins from six games played this week which leads them nicely into their next league fixtures when the two sides go head to head on June 14th. In the divisions other game Draperstown Celtic edged home by the only goal of the game against Belfast Ravens II.
 
DIVISION FIVE
Despite being held to a 2-2 draw this week by Ards Rangers, Valley Rangers remain the only unbeaten side in Division Five, but even that statistic doesn’t see them top of the table with Oxford Sunnyside, in what has been a great week for the club with their men’s team gaining promotion to the Premier Intermediate league, still leading the way at the top of the standings following their victory over Shorts. 
Comber Rec Reserves won easily at Donegal Celtic whilst in the division’s final game a solid performance from St Marys saw them home against Rathfriland in a game which can be seen on our social media.
 
DIVISION SIX
And finally in our round up, victories for Greenisland II, Carrick Rangers Falcons II, 22nd Ladies II and Bloomfield mean that it’s still Greenisland from Carrick at top of the Division Six standings.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 19 - 24 MAY

As ever plenty of action to report from across the NI Women’s Football Association leagues this week, here’s the review of how the games panned out.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
 
The race for the championship continues to be a fascinating one which this week, after a double header of games, sees Bangor Ladies moving to the summit. The Seasiders started the week brilliantly ending the unbeaten run of Ballymena United 6-1 last Sunday thanks to goals from Amber Dempster (x2), Janine Jess, Emi Wynne and Leah Robinson, although in United’s defence it was very much a depleted team that took to the pitch with their solitary goal on the day coming from Ellen McClure.
 
Bangor made it two wins in three days on Wednesday night although on this occasion it took a late Dempster goal to secure the points against a hard battling Camlough Rovers. Dempster had given the league leaders the lead in this one only for Leanne Domican to level the game before that late strike ensured the visitors took all three points home with them.
 
Ballymena bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to ensure they remain level on points with Bangor although once again they were pushed all the way narrowly edging home 3-2 v Ballyclare Comrades. Rebecca Cousins had given Ballyclare the lead in this one only for United to level almost immediately through Megan Henry and they then took the lead on 60 minutes through a Chelsea Millar goal only for the Comrades to then draw level through Cerys Madden. In the end it took a super strike from Ellen McClure to secure the points for United.
 
This week it turned out to be another tough one for basement side Foyle Belles who lost at home to St.James Swifts with Chloe Tully being the star of the show netting five goals. She was well supported by a Rosie Thompson hat-trick, Chloe Doak (x 2) and a single strike from Katie Rose Rice in a result which saw St James also move level on points at the top of the table.
 
Sion Swifts also kept themselves well in the hunt at the top of the table with a comfortable 4-1 win at Comber Rec thanks to goals from Grace Dickson (x2), Orlagh McCloskey and Bronagh Gallagher with the hosts sole reply coming from Lindsay Johnston. Well done to Comber’s Debbie Ferguson who made her 150th appearance for the club in this game.
 
Meanwhile the west Belfast derby between Belfast Celtic and St Oliver Plunkett went the way of the visitors with SOP running out 4-2 winners thanks to goals from Niamh McGonigle, Ellie Kearns, Chelsea Edwards and Niamh Crossley with the Celts replies coming from Cathy Kelly and Niamh Adams.
 
DIVISION ONE
 
The big game in Division one this week saw Greenisland take the spoils as they edged home 1-0 at Ballymoney United in a result which saw them leapfrog their hosts to move top of the Division one table. Ambassadors moved into third place after they romped home against Kilmore Rec while Rosario won a hard fought game v Armagh City.
 
DIVISION TWO
 
Strabane moved clear at the top of Division Two this week with their win at home to the 22nd Ladies coupled with a defeat for their nearest rivals Craigavon at the hands of Lisburn Ladies Swifts. In the division’s other games Coleraine picked up their first win of the season with victory over Banbridge Town whilst Ballymena United Reserves defeated Lisburn Distillery 2-1.
 
DIVISION THREE
 
Lisbellaw’s five point gap at the top of Division three remains this week following a comfortable win over Belfast Ravens, although Maiden City continue to hang in there following a walk over win this week. Portadown Ladies overturned an early goal deficit to defeat Carrick Rgrs Falcons 3-1, with Mid Ulster Ladies Reserves winning easily at Ballymoney Reserves. Highlights from the Portadown v Carrick game can be found on our social media.
 
DIVISION FOUR
 
Antrim Town continue to lead Division Four from Raceview after both sides won their corresponding league games this week, Elsewhere there were wins for Draperstown Diamonds and Moneyslane.
 
DIVISION FIVE
 
Pacesetters Valley Rangers, Oxford Sunnyside and Ards Rangers continued to power their way through Division Five this week with comfortable wins for all three sides. St Marys also won well at home with the teams in the top half of the table now leaving a massive gap between themselves and those at the foot of the table.
 
DIVISION SIX
Greenisland Women II retained their 100% record this week following victory over Carrick Rgrs Falcons reserves whilst there were away wins for Holywood Ladies and Wellington Rec who picked up their first points of the season. In the division’s final game on Friday night 1st Bangor beat Bloomfield 4-2
 
LOCAL WOMEN SUPER CUP
The first round of this season’s “Local Women’s Sport” Super Cup competition also got underway this week with victories for Ballymoney United, Craigavon City, Kilmore Rec, Valley Rangers, Lisburn Ladies Swifts, Lisburn Distillery and Ballynahinch United. There were walkover wins for Strabane Athletic and Greenisland and in the last of the opening round games a remarkable game saw Civil Service come back from 0-3 down to tie the game 3-3 and eventually win on penalties. Highlights from this game can be found on our social media.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 12 - 17 MAY

As ever plenty of action to report from across the NI Women’s Football Association leagues this week, here’s the review of how the games panned out.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
With league leaders Ballymena United not due to play their fixture this week until Sunday afternoon (19th May) when they play Bangor there was a chance this week for the other sides to close the gap at the top of the Championship table.
 
St.James Swifts were only too glad to make the use of that opportunity moving into second place in the table after easily disposing of local rivals St.Oliver Plunkett 5-0 thanks mainly to a hat trick from Tiarna Hunter who was ably assisted by goals from Rachel Dennison as well as a goal from returning skipper Siobhan Bell, who returned to the pitch after having being out for the last four months through injury.
 
Sion Swifts missed their opportunity to move level on points with Ballymena after they were held 1-1 by a battling Belfast Celtic who now seem to be finding their feet after a slow start to the season. The Celts had taken an early lead through captain Sara-Lou McLaughlin and battled hard to defend that lead only for their defence to eventually be broken in the 59th minute by a superb strike from distance by Brooke Milligan. After this, despite hard work by both sides, the deadlock couldn’t be broken with the match ending 1-1 – highlights from this one can be found on NIWFA Social media.
 
After a stuttering start to the season Ballyclare Comrades are now nicely moving through the gears securing their third win on the spin this week as they easily cast aside Comber Rec 12-0 with in form Annelli Moore leading the way with a fine hat-trick. Moore was ably assisted by Molly Weir (x2), Zoe Johnston (x2) and single strikes by Nina Morrison, Cerys Madden, Isabal Campbell. Kelsie Chambers and skipper Meghan Ingram as they completed the rout in a result which sees the Comrades moving into fourth place and now only two points from the top of the table.
 
In the Divisions final game this week Foyle Belles miserable season continued as they lost at home to Camlough Rovers. The Belles however deserve some sort of credit from this game as they had fought back from two goals down at the break to level the game at 2-2 thanks to goals from Kate Patton and skipper Bronagh Dunne. Rovers however were not to be out done and made sure the long trip home was an enjoyable one with four goals from Olivia Connolly and strikes from Katie Brophy and Ellen McCartney ensuring they emerged 6-2 winners at the Brandywell.
 
All eyes now turn to that big game at Clandeboye Park between Bangor and Ballymena United on Sunday afternoon.
 
DIVISION ONE
Ballymoney United and Greenisland continue to be the teams to beat in NIWFA Division One with both retaining their 100% winning starts to the season this week with Mea Mezza being the star for Ballymoney scoring a double hat-trick as they swept aside Rosario. Greenisland had to battle hard to defeat Ambassadors who remain in third place despite their defeat. Elsewhere Kilmore Rec’s disappointing start to the season continued as they lost at home to Ballyclare Comrades Reserves and in the final game this week Armagh City and Ballynahinch battled out a 1-1 draw.
 
DIVISION TWO
Strabane Athletic maintained their unbeaten start to the season but were made to work hard by a battling Lisburn Distillery side at New Grosvenor before securing a deserved three points. Craigavon remain level on points at the top of the table with Strabane following victory at Banbridge Town, whilst the 22nd Ladies continued their decent start to the season easing aside Coleraine to move into third place in the standings. In the Division’s other game Lisburn Ladies Swifts defeated Ballymena United Women Reserves.
 
DIVISION THREE
Lisbellaw continued their 100% winning start to the season with Mid Ulster Ladies Reserves being their latest victims although Carrick Rangers Falcons success over Ballymoney Reserves means they remain within three points off the top of the table, as do the Belfast Ravens following their fantastic 3-2 win at Maiden City. In the Division’s final game Portadown’s recent revival continued with victory at Dromara Village.
 
DIVISION FOUR
It was a case of home comforts in NIWFA Division four this week with all three home sides – Antrim Town, Lisburn Rangers Reserves and Raceview – winning.  These results see Antrim and local rivals Raceview still at top of the standings with an eight point gap now emerging between those two sides and the rest of the chasing pack.
 
DIVISION FIVE
Oxford Sunnyside played twice this week but made sure to make their extra game count as they won both matches to move to the top of the Division Five table albeit with second placed Valley Rangers now with a game in hand. As well as those wins for Oxford there were wins for Valley Rangers, Rathfriland and a forfeit victory for Ards Rangers.
 
DIVISION SIX
Victories from Greenisland Women II, Carrick Rangers Falcons II. 22nd Ladies II and Holywood Ladies means that it’s Carrick and Greenisland who lead the way in NIWFA Division Six with 100% winning records so far.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 5 - 10 MAY

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.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
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.
 
DIVISION ONE
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.
 
DIVISION TWO
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.
 
DIVISION THREE
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.
 
DIVISION FOUR
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.
 
DIVISION FIVE
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.
 
DIVISION SIX
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.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 28 APR - 3 MAY

NIWFA Season 2024 continued at a pace this week with some great performances across all divisions of the NIWFA leagues.  Here’s our weekly review on how the games went.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Bangor kept up their 100% winning record in the Championship this week as they comfortably disposed of Comber Rec 6-0 at Clandeboye Park on Wednesday night. Opening the scoring for the Seasiders were Janine Jess and the prolific Amber Dempster (x2) with substitutes Amanda Morton and Leah Robinson (x2) completing the rout. Highlights from this game are currently online on our social media.
 
Ballymena United also kept up their 100% winning league start to the season with a 0-3 victory at St. Oliver Plunkett. Chelsea Millar returned from her recent suspension to be the star of the show with a two goal haul with Lauren Hill adding the third.
And another side still maintaining their 100% winning start to their new campaign are St. James Swifts who overcame Belfast Celtic 5-1. The Swifts had moved into a comfortable 3-0 lead in this one thanks to goals from Brooke Baine and a Chloe Tully brace and although Katherine O’Hare pulled on back for the Celts before half time further strikes from Rosie Thompson and Katierose Rice ensured the victory for the Swifts.
 
Camlough Rovers are still seeking their first win of the season following their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Sion Swifts with a solitary strike from Ellen McCartney not being enough to overturn goals from Sion’s Cache Crumlish-Hawes, Louise Harkin, Brooke Milligan and Caominhe Heron.
 
Finally in the Championship this week Ballyclare Comrades secured their first win of the season as they returned home from Derry victorious following a 5-0 defeat of Foyle Belles. After an early strike from Poppy Restrick, a brace from Anneli Moore and further strikes from Nina Morrison and Kelsey Chambers ensured the visitors led 5-0 at half time and this was how the game was to finish with the result leaving the Belles pinned to the foot of the Championship table.
 
DIVISION ONE
 
Big away wins from Ballymoney United Ladies (v Kilmore Rec) and Ambassadors (v Rosario) ensured that they, along with Greenisland who picked up a home win v Ballynahinch Ladies, lead the way in Division One. Elsewhere Ballyclare Comrades Reserves picked up their first points of the season with victory over Armagh City. The highlights from the Ambassadors game v Rosario can be found on our social media.
 
DIVISION TWO
 
The early pacesetters in Division Two this season are the 22nd Ladies and Ballymena United Reserves who defeated Lisburn Ladies Swifts and Banbridge Town respectively. Craigavon City kept up their fine start to the second division defeating Lisburn Distillery 1-0 with Whites keeper Jamie-Lee Wilson saving two penalties in this one. In the Division’s final game this week Strabane also showed their ability to more than cope at this level with a comfortable win over Coleraine Women.
 
DIVISION THREE
 
Lisbellaw continue to thrive in Division Three this week beating Dromara Village to move top of the pack where we find Carrick Rangers Falcons and Maiden City in hot pursuit thanks to wins over Belfast Ravens and Mid Ulster Reserves respectively. The division’s final game this week saw Portadown and Ballymoney Utd Reserves draw 1-1 to pick up their first points of the season.
 
DIVISION FOUR
 
It was all fives and threes this week in Division Four with league leaders Antrim Town winning 5-0 at Belfast Ravens II and second placed Raceview winning 3-0 v Lisburn Rangers Athletic. Ballynahinch won 5-0 v Draperstown Celtic and the scoring pattern replicated itself again when Moneyslane won 5-3 at Belfast Swifts.
 
DIVISION FIVE
 
A four goal haul from Caitlin Rae (v Comber Rec Res) sees Valley Rangers on top of Division Five, tied with St.Marys. These two sides meet one another this week so even this early on in the season that fixture could have a massive impact on the final league placings at the end of the season. There were also wins this week in Division Five for Oxford Sunnyside and Shorts.
 
DIVISION SIX
Greenisland Ladies II are the early pacesetters in Division Six after comfortably disposing of Holywood Ladies, although Carrick Rangers Falcons II are in hot pursuit following an away win at Bloomfield Ladies. The 22nd Ladies II picked up their first points of the season whilst in the division’s final game this week Raceview and First Bangor battled out a thrilling eight goal thriller at Wakehurst Playing Fields.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE CUP
 
Whereas most of our league cups don’t start for a few weeks yet, the Championship got theirs underway this week with Ballymena United overcoming Bangor to make the quarter finals although it did take a penalty shoot out to see them home after the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes plus extra time. The goals during normal play came from Janine Jess (Bangor 47 mins) and Katie Wallace (Ballymena 77 minutes).
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 21 -26 APRIL

And we’re up and running as all six divisions of the NIWFA leagues for season 2024 are now underway, here’s the weekly review of the action
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Bangor, Ballymena and St James Swifts are currently setting the pace in the Championship with all three sides securing second wins this week to keep up their 100% winning start to the season.
In Bangor’s case they romped home 9-0 against Foyle Belles with goals coming from right across the park thanks to strikes from Emi Wynne (x2), Ashleigh Scott-Brown (x2), Amber Dempster (x2) and single strikes from Janine Jess, Jodie Shannon and Leah Robinson.
Ballymena were made to work much harder for their points eventually defeating Sion Swifts 3-2 despite having been reduced to ten players following the dismissal of Amy Doherty-Jones. United however battled on with a superb hat-trick from inform striker Megan Henry being enough to see off the battling Swifts who responded through goals from Brooke Milligan and Hanna Gibson. Highlights from this game can be found elsewhere on our Social media.
 
Meanwhile St James Swifts also underlined their desire to challenge for honours this season as they brushed aside Comber Rec 6-2 at Whiterock. A double from Chloe Tully and further strikes from Katierose Rice, Chloe Doak, Tiarna Hunter and an og were enough to see them home with Comber’s consolation goals coming from Debbie Ferguson and Sophie Loughlan.
Camlough Rovers and Belfast Celtic played out a highly entertaining game which ended 3-3 with Rovers lethal partnership of Ellen McCartney (x2) and Olivia Connolly scoring for the hosts with Sara-Louise McLaughlin, Niamh Adams and an og ensuring the Celts went home with a point for their efforts.
In the Divisions final game this week St.Oliver Plunkett and Ballyclare Ladies grinded out a 0-0 draw to give both sides their first points of the new season.
 
DIVISION ONE
 
Ambassadors were the only side in Division One to pick up points on their travels this week with a fine win at Armagh City to kick off their season. Elsewhere it was home comforts all the way with Rosario, Ballymoney United and Greenisland all starting off with victories against Ballynahinch, Ballyclare Reserves and Kilmore Rec respectively. Top scorer in the Division this week was Greenislands’ Aoife Burgess with a five goal haul to get her season off to a flying start.
 
DIVISION TWO
 
We’re still waiting our first home win of the season in Division Two which sees the 22nd Ladies and Ballymena United Reserves leading the way after both sides pulled off comfortable away wins at Banbridge Town and Coleraine respectively.  In the divisions other two games it was honours even with the Lisburn Derby between Lisburn Ladies and Lisburn Distillery ending 1-1 and a late penalty in injury time from Strabane Athletic ensuring they drew 2-2 with Craigavon City.  Highlights from the Craigavon v Strabane game will be available online.
 
DIVISION THREE
 
Lisbellaw threw down the gauntlet to the other sides in Division Three as they comfortably defeated Portadown thanks mainly to hat-tricks from Susan Surphlis and Laura Grew.  However Belfast Ravens are hot on their heels having also won easily against Dromara Village. Carrick Rangers Falcons marked their debut in the NIWFA with a narrow home 1-0 win v Mid Ulster Reserves with the divisions’ final game seeing Maiden City edging home 3-2 against Ballymoney Reserves.
 
DIVISION FOUR
 
Antrim Town marked their debut in Division Four with a great victory at Lisburn Rangers Athletic, with Raceview also opening their account following a win at Draperstown. The division’s other two games both ended in stalemate with Belfast Ravens II drawing with Belfast Swifts and Moneyslane drawing with Ballynahinch Olympic.
 
DIVISION FIVE
 
All four games in Division five ended with home wins, with St.Marys being the big winners in the opening week of fixtures as hat-tricks from Ellie Magill and Hannah McEntee put Shorts FC to the sword.  Ards Rangers defeated Comber Rec Reserves, Valley Rangers defeated Oxford Sunnyside and Rathfriland defeated Donegal Celtic in the division’s other games.
 
DIVISION SIX
There were no less than 23 goals registered on the opening week of Division Six as no less than six new teams took to the pitch to make their competitive NIWFA league debuts.  Greenisland II, Carrick Rangers Falcons II, First Bangor Ladies and Holywood Ladies all got their seasons off to winning starts in this division.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

WEEKLY LEAGUE REVIEW 14 -19 APRIL

With the rest of the league under starters orders to kick off their seasons this week, the 2024 NIWFA Championship got underway this week and what a start it was with no less than 26 goals being scored in the opening five fixtures.
 
The early pacesetters were Bangor and Sion Swifts both of whom notched up six goals in their opening games.
 
Bangor’s six came courtesy of a 6-1 win at recently promoted St.Oliver Plunkett although they did have to overcome an early setback as Cara Mervyn gave the hosts an early lead after only two minutes of play. SOP however were then given a tough lesson as to what life in the Championship is going to be like as an Amber Dempster hat-trick and further goals from Toni Stewart, Janine Jess and Eva Rose Martin put them to the sword.
 
Sion Swifts showed that they are going to a real force to be reckoned with in the Championship as a hat-trick from Brooke Milligan plus strikes from Cache Crumlish-Hawes, Hannah Gibson and Louise Harkin saw them comfortably dispatch last season’s Championship runners up Ballyclare Comrades 6-1, the Comrades reply coming from Rebecca Cousins.
 
Recently relegated Ballymena United also got off to winning ways as they edged past Belfast Celtic 2-1 thanks to a two goal brace from Katie Wallace with the Celts reply coming from Katherine O’Hare. There were also two red cards in this one with United’s Chelsea Millar and Celtic’s Chloe Keenan both receiving their marching orders in the first half.
 
St James Swifts also got their season off to a winning start but they had to wait until deep into added time to defeat recently promoted Camlough Rovers 3-2 thanks to a goal in the 92nd minute from Chloe Tully. Rovers had taken the lead through Olivia Connolly only to see St James bounce back to take the lead 2-1 through Chloe Doake and Brooke Baine with the latters free kick smashing off the crossbar only to bounce down and in off the back of Rovers ‘keeper Aoife Magee. Despite then pulling level through a superb free kick from Ellen McCartney, Rovers plucky efforts were outdone thanks to that late Tully strike. Highlights from this game will be online shortly.
 
And in the Division’s final game this week Comber Rec made the trip to the Brandywell Stadium with the long journey proving worthwhile as they won against Foyle Belles. The Belles got this game off to a flyer with Mia Doherty scoring the first goal of the new NIWFA season after only one minute of play however the Rec then fought back eventually winning 3-1 through goals from Jonja Boyle and a double strike from captain Lucy Carville.
 
Weekly round up by Colin Hopkins

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