With champions Cliftonville Ladies visiting Seaview tonight Crusaders Strikers where keen to take points off them in the SportsDirect NIFL Premiership.
Crusaders Strikers started well and stuck to a well drilled game plan and it worked when Mairead McCann coolly slotted home for their first on 12 minutes. Cliftonville Ladies had a few free kicks well over but did not really threaten the Strikers’ goal. The Crusaders Strikers second goal came from young Darcie McNeill who expertly dispatching a penalty on 30 minutes after Mairead McCann was pushed on the edge of the box. Again, Crusaders Strikers played the best football and eventually captain Amy McGivern scored on the half time whistle to make it 3-0 at half time.
At half-time the Sonic Blacks team were presented with the SBYL Boys’ cup by Julie Nelson.
Cliftonville Ladies as expected started the second half strongly and had a few good chances. Eventually great work from their substitute Abbie Magee resulted in Louise McDaniel hitting a strike that brought them a goal 6 minutes into the half. A rejuvenated Cliftonville Ladies pressed harder and made more chances including Fi Morgan hitting the crossbar. The ending was frantic and there were many yellow cards. Surging runs by Magee continued to cause havoc but Crusaders Strikers defended resolutely. McGuinness came close at the end but wide. The Strikers’ defence was amazing from front to back and ran out 3-1 winners.
Next game at home in the All Island cup against Cork City on Saturday at Seaview (6pm)