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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
