Grit expectations

Cliftonville Ladies 3-2 Sion Swifts Ladies

Cliftonville Ladies demonstrated a gritty side to their game as returned to winning ways in a thrilling Solitude showdown with Sion Swifts Ladies this evening.

Having suffered their first home loss of the campaign against Glentoran Women last time out, the Reds bounced back to maintain the title pressure at the top of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership on a night that saw Marissa Callaghan, Kirsty McGuinness and Louise McDaniel on the scoresheet.

Things got off to the worst possible start for John McGrady’s side when the visitors took the lead with just 12 minutes on the clock; former Cliftonville player Michelle McDaid delivering the corner from which Caoirse Doherty netted.

It wasn’t long before the Reds were level, however, as Callaghan slotted in from a tight angle and, just two minutes later, McGuinness was inches away from curling the home side in front ahead of Louise McDaniel being unable to get a touch on a cross from the same player.

McGuinness would make no mistake on 23 minutes, though, when she blasted high into the roof of the net to put Cliftonville in front.

McDaid went close to drawing Sion level before another ex-Reds youngster, Caoimhe Callaghan, saved from Caitlin McGuinness, while namesake Marissa saw an effort ruled out for offside.

The second-half was barely a minute old when McDaniels’ cool finish extended the hosts’ advantage, but Sion refused to give in and reduced the arrears courtesy of Kerryanne Brown.

Callaghan then called the Swifts’ keeper into action with a strike from distance ahead of Cora Chambers being denied by Rachel Norney at the other end and, though Sion enjoyed a spell of pressure in the closing stages, Cliftonville held on to secure all three vital points.

Cliftonville: Norney, White, Burrows, Moran, McKimm (Weatherall, 70 mins), Davis, Caldwell (McHenry, 67 mins), McDaniel, C McGuinness, K McGuinness, Callaghan. Unused subs: Morgan, McConnell, Montgomery.