Reds not giving up title role

Glentoran Women 1-1 Cliftonville Ladies

Cliftonville Ladies kept their Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title defence alive in a battling draw with Glentoran Women at Ashfield Boys High School this evening.

On a night when defeat would have seen their opponents crowned Champions, the Reds produced a confident display and can count themselves unfortunate not to have emerged with the win that would have kept their destiny firmly in their own hands.

As it stands, the Glens remain nine points clear with two matches left to play – however, John McGrady’s side have two games in hand, the first of which sees them travel to Ballymena United Women on Wednesday evening. A win there will narrow the gap to six ahead of both title contenders returning to action on Sunday.

Caitlin McGuinness had given the Reds a first-half lead in east Belfast this evening, only for Kerry Beattie’s penalty to deny them a vital win, meaning Glentoran need to win one of their remaining fixtures – away to Crusaders Strikers and home to Linfield Women – to take the crown.