Carn exchange

Cliftonville Ladies held on to win a thrilling Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Cup Second Round clash with Carnmoney Ladies this evening.

The goalfest started early on with five strikes registered inside the first 30 minutes.

Toni-Leigh Finnegan put the Reds in front only for Hollie Johnston to level matters ahead of Leah McEvoy and Marissa Callaghan firing the hosts 3-1 in front.

Carnmoney pulled one back through Kathleen Barnes before the break to set up what promised to be a rip-roaring next 45 minutes.

Leontia McVarnock made it 4-2 early in the second-half and, after reducing the arrears back to just a single goal courrtesy of Johnston’s second goal ofthe night, the visitors saw a superb free-kick rattle the Cliftonville woodwork as Martin Douglas’ side were made to sweat for their place in the next round of the competition.