Sweet 16 so far

As the countdown to Sunday’s winner-takes-all showdown between Cliftonville Ladies and Glentoran Women continues, cliftonvillefc.net reflects on how the Champions’ defence of their Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title has taken shape up to now.

Victory over the Glens at Blanchflower Stadium would see the Reds retain the crown they won in invincible style last term and, while they can take heart from the fact their 2-0 success at the east Belfast venue back in July represents the only time Glentoran have failed to win in the League this campaign, Cliftonville will also be well aware that the sole defeat on their own 16-game record came at the hands of Kim Turner’s side.

May
One of the most significant results of the Reds’ season came on the opening night when Marissa Callaghan (above) was on target to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Linfield Women at Solitude – an outcome that remains reflected in the gap between the title challengers heading into this decisive weekend – while Grace McKimm, Teegan Lynch and Fi Morgan were on the scoresheet when Derry City were overcome at the Brandywell seven days later.

June
A date with Lisburn Ladies delivered a Caitlin McGuinness brace before elder sister Kirsty opened the scoring in an 8-0 defeat of Larne Women that also saw Morgan, two-goal Carla Devine (above), Naomi McLaughlin, Callaghan, Caitlin McGuinness and Lynch find the net.

July
Lynch struck either side of a Kirsty McGuinness effort in a 3-0 triumph over Crusaders Strikers in a North Belfast Derby duel at Seaview before Cliftonville fell to their only loss thus far when Glentoran emerged from Solitude with a 2-0 victory.

Less than three weeks on, however, Caitlin McGuinness and McLaughlin (above) applied the finishes that inflicted a reciprocal first defeat of the campaign on the Glens when the teams contested their first Blanchflower battle of the season.

August
That proved to be the first of 10 consecutive Premiership wins for the Reds, who enjoyed another derby triumph over the Crues courtesy of goals from the same duo who had downed Glentoran.

Back-to-back encounters with Lisburn Rangers saw Lynch and Carla Devine contribute to a 2-0 success at Crewe Park, before a 3-1 home win was achieved thanks to a double from Vicky Carleton and Caitlin McGuinness’ latest contribution.

Callaghan opened the scoring in a 3-0 victory over Derry at Solitude, where captain Kelsie Burrows (above) marked her comeback from injury by doubling the advantage for Cliftonville, whose night was rounded off with an Aoibhe O’Neill penalty.

September
A brace from Callaghan set the Champions on their way against Lisburn Rangers, with Kirsty McGuinness, O’Neill, Katie Markey and Devine getting in on the act after the floodgates had been opened in a 6-0 success.

Lynch toasted a double of her own when Linfield were overcome in a battling performance at Midgley Park before the Reds completed their pre-split obligations with a five-star triumph at Larne, where Morgan, Lynch, Callaghan, Lydia Thompson and Caitlin McGuinness were on target.

Another showdown with the Blues quickly followed but, despite getting off to a dream start when Lynch broke the deadlock with just five minutes gone, Cliftonville were pegged back before Callaghan (above) struck a priceless winner just before half-time.

October
The final month of the season kicked off with a nerve-jangling tussle with a dogged Lisburn Rangers side, who carried the game to the Reds long after a 24th minute finish from Carleton (below) – one which ultimately settled the issue and left Cliftonville needing one more win to retain the title this Sunday.

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