Won last push

Cliftonville Ladies’ bid to retain the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title comes down to a winner-takes-all showdown with Glentoran Women next Sunday evening.

After both sides won their penultimate League outings 1-0 over the weekend, all eyes will be on Blanchflower Stadium, where the teams that have occupied the top two positions in the table for a fifth consecutive season will do  battle for the right to be crowned Champions.

Following 16 rounds of fixtures, the Reds trail their title rivals by just two points and know that only victory in east Belfast will be enough to maintain their grip on the trophy they won with invincible status 12 months ago.

The Glens – for whom a draw will be enough – have won all but one of their Premiership outings so far this term; a 2-0 home defeat to Cliftonville back in July being the only blot on an otherwise perfect League record.

The Reds have likewise lost just once and, in keeping with the riveting nature of this compelling rivalry, that came when Glentoran were victorious at Solitude by the same scoreline just two-and-a-half-weeks beforehand, while a 1-1 draw with Linfield Women back in May is what ultimately has the defending Champions with a deficit to chase going into this decisive weekend.

It goes without saying that, as they endeavour to deliver yet more silverware, our Ladies team would be delighted to avail of your support in east Belfast on Sunday.

Kick-off at Blanchflower Stadium is at 6pm and, with only a win good enough to claim the Premiership title, the Red Army being and their loudest and proudest would be of huge assistance as captain Kelsie Burrows and her team-mates target another historic success.