Carle of duty

Cliftonville Ladies 3-1 Lisburn Rangers

Two goals from Vicky Carleton and a Caitlin McGuinness header helped Cliftonville Ladies to a vital victory over Lisburn Rangers at Solitude this evening.

The first of two games in hand that the Reds hold over their fellow Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title contenders, the hosts struck the crossbar through Caitlin McGuinness and Marissa Callaghan before the deadlock was finally broken when Carleton slotted home from Kirsty McGuinness’ cutback on 37 minutes.

Carleton doubled her night’s tally shortly after the interval when she netted an assist from Caitlin McGuinness, but it wasn’t long before Rangers reduced the arrears to 2-1.

The Reds restored their two-goal advantage 11 minutes from time when Fi Morgan’s free-kick forward was seized upon by Callaghan, who teed Kirsty McGuinness up for a cross that younger sister Caitlin nodded in.

The win means third-placed Cliftonville have narrowed the gap to Linfield Women to three points, with leaders Glentoran Women a further two ahead of a Red side that has played one game fewer than both as the campaign enters the business stage.