Even at this early stage the Championship is looking like it might be developing into a two team race to the finish line with both Ballymena United and St James Swifts now moving well clear of the remaining pack.  United kept their 100% winning record intact this week after casting aside an in-form Bangor team 4-0 thanks mainly to a hat-trick from Megan Henry. The other goal on the night came from skipper Tash Bamford with the result bringing to an end Bangor’s recent four game winning run. Highlights from this game can be found elsewhere on our social media.

 

St.James meanwhile also kept their 100% record intact after they comfortably defeated the leagues basement side St.Oliver Plunkett 7-0 at Whiterock. Katie-rose Rice led the way in this one as she also netted a hat-trick with her strikes being supported by other goals from Chloe Doak, Leah McAvoy, Roise Thompson and Debbie Boyd.

 

Elsewhere Ballymoney United Ladies will doubtless be ecstatic to get their first win in the Championship after they cruised past Belfast Celtic 5-1 at Paddy’s Park. Doubles from Cleo-Neece Taggart and Aine McAllister accompanied by a single goal from Layla O’Hara saw them home with the Celts consolation goal coming from Claire Rooney.

 

Ballymoney’s win lifted them out of the bottom two where they were replaced by Camlough Rovers whose early season woes continued as they lost 0-8 to Sion Swifts. It was Leckey’s at the double in this one with Zahara scoring a hat-trick and Sienna netting twice with further goals coming from Brooke Milligan, Aislinn Coll and Rosie Harper.

 

Finally in the Championship this week a real nail biter as Greenisland Women defeated Mid Ulster 4-3 with goals from Rachel Patterson, Erin McCauley. Lucy Redmond and Aoife Burgess. Mid Ulster had fought back from 4-1 down (goals from Eimear McGarrity and Sharagh Murphy (x2) to give the hosts a nervy finish but ultimately they held on to get over the line.

 

Strabane Athletic made it two from two after defeating Rosario 4-2 this week with Ambassadors also picking up a win after winning 1-0 at Ballynahinch Ladies. In the divisions final game this week Comber Rec and Ballyclare Com Reserves battled out an entertaining 3-3 draw.

 

Wins for Lisbellaw United and Carrick Rangers Falcons means both side have 100% records after two games played in Division Two although that stat will change this week when the sides meet one another in round three of the fixtures. Elsewhere Belfast Ravens started their season by winning their first game 6-1 v the 22nd Ladies.

 

A second consecutive victory for Moneyslane ladies sees them the early leaders in Division 3 however not far behind are Belfast Swifts who this week defeated Raceview and Ballynahinch Olympic who drew with Antrim Town 1-1. The divisions final game saw Mid Ulster Ladies Reserves defeat Portadown 2-1 Highlights from the game between Belfast Swifts and Raceview will be online.

 

A truly remarkable feat in Division Four this week as Valley Rangers Caitlin Rae netted seven goals for the second consecutive week as her team routed St.Marys’. Not surprisingly Rangers are leading the way in Division Four however Ards Rangers and Oxford Sunnyside are level on points with the early pacesetters after both also secured wins this week over Dromara Village and Ballymoney Utd Reserves respectively. In the divisions final game Comber Rec Reserves defeated Rathfriland 3-1.

 

Greenisland Women’s Seconds and Carrick Rgrs Falcons Seconds are the early pacesetters in Division Five after both secured their second consecutive victories this week. First Bangor Ladies held on to defeat the 22nd Ladies Reserves 5-4 with Holywood and Wellington Rec battling out a 2-2 draw.

 

In Division Six this week Bloomfield Ladies got their season off to a wining start v Raceview Ladies Athletic and Hanover bounced back from their opening day defeat to overcome Shorts Women.

 

Finally in Division Seven Coleraine Ladies Reserves and Ards Rangers Seconds both made it two wins from two games played whilst our pathway league is led by Newhill and Carryduff Ladies both of whom won their second consecutive games.

Report by Colin Hopkins