Perfect 10

Cliftonville Ladies 4-0 Linfield Ladies

Caitlin McGuinness hit a hat-trick as Cliftonville Ladies made it 10 wins from 10 in the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership season.

A penalty from Marissa Callaghan wrapped up the scoring for the Reds, who moved eight points clear at the top of the table courtesy of this resounding victory over Linfield.

The first opening of the night fell the visitors’ way only for Rebecca Bassett to see her effort blocked by Kelsie Burrows before a heavy touch from Abbie Magee prevented her from making the most of Kirsty McGuinness’ pass.

The McGuinness sisters each tried their luck against Blues goalkeeper Lauren Currie before the deadlock was broken just past the half-hour when Caitlin touched Callaghan’s cross into the bottom corner.

Mia Fitzsimmons went close to levelling before the break and, shortly after the turnaround, a fierce Kirsty McGuinness strike scaled the crossbar.

Birthday girl Fi Morgan then had two quickfire headers cleared off the line before Cliftonville doubled their advantage when Caitlin McGuinness took full advantage of the Linfield defence failing to clear a corner.

Her treble was sealed soon later when she seized on Magee’s ball in behind to stroke past the advancing Currie – and the Blues’ night got worse when Bassett was shown a straight red card for dissent.

Currie’s foul on Magee then earned a penalty which Callaghan stepped up to convert and ultimately complete the scoring, although both McGuinnesses, Morgan and Callaghan all went close to adding to the Reds’ lead before the finish.

Cliftonville: Adams, White (Moran, 81 mins), Burrows, Morgan, McDaniel, C McGuinness (Markey, 86 mins), K McGuinness (Montgomery, 86 mins), McKimm, Callaghan, Carleton, Magee. Unused subs: Norney, Maxwell, O McGuinness, Irvine.