Celebratory brink

Cliftonville Ladies 3-1 Lisburn Rangers 

Cliftonville Ladies moved to within touching distance of the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title courtesy of a vital win over Lisburn Rangers this evening.

The 3-1 victory at Solitude means the Reds will be crowned Champions if they can get the better of Linfield Women next Friday night – and could even be assured of the silverware if title rivals Glentoran Women drop points against the Blues on Sunday.

Two quickfire first-half goals put Brendan Lynch’s side in control of tonight’s contest; Teegan Lynch’s penalty breaking the deadlock before Cliftonville’s advantage was swiftly doubled thanks to a stunning strike from Caitlin McGuinness.

Louise McDaniel maintained her fine scoring form when she made it 3-0 with a quarter of an hour remaining and, though Abbie Smyth pulled one back for Lisburn Rangers in injury-time, the Reds had done enough to put themselves on the brink of a title celebration.