She Kicks Magazine
·27 July 2024
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·27 July 2024
St James Swifts went top of the NIWFA Championship. (Photo: St James Swifts FC)
St James Swifts knocked non-playing leaders Sion Swifts off the top of the NIWFA Championship with a 3-2 defeat of Belfast Celtic.
But it did take a last-minute Chloe Doak strike to secure the points after the Celts’ Niamh Adams bagged a brace to wipe out the lead gained by goals from Doak and Roise Thompson. St James and Sion meet this week in what could well be a league-deciding encounter.
Bangor Ladies kept themselves in the hunt as goal machine Amber Dempster bagged four in a comfortable 7-1 win at Comber Rec.
Bottom side Foyle Belles’ miserable season continued as they lost 0-14 to a rampant Ballyclare Comrades at Allen Park, Emily Gilchrist top scorer on four goals while there were hat-tricks by Deborah McCarthy and Molly Weir.
Ballymena United edge home 2-1 against St.Oliver Plunkett, thanks to goals from Lauren Hill and Ellen McClure.
Ballymoney romped home against Rosario to remain in second place in Division 1, but leaders Greenisland saw off Ambassadors to keep the gap at the top at eight points. Ballynahinch emerged victorious in a seven-goal thriller at Armagh City.
Craigavon City made the most of their game in hand on leaders Strabane Athletic by defeating Banbridge Town to go level on points at the top of Division 2 with the Co.Tyrone side. The divisions only other game this week saw the 22nd Ladies record a great away win at the expense of Coleraine.
Victory for Maiden City at Belfast Ravens saw the Derry-based side leapfrog their opponents to move into second place in Division 3, in what was a highly entertaining game. The result did not impact on leaders Lisbellaw United, who remain well on course for promotion following a comfortable win over Mid Ulster Reserves. Carrick Rangers Falcons won away at Ballymena United Reserves and Portadown surged home against Dromara Village.
Division 4 remains a two-horse race at the top, with both Antrim Town and Raceview winning this week, whilst there were also wins for Moneyslane and Ballynahinch Olympic.
A Division 5 flood of 32 goals in four games saw a second consecutive defeat for St.Marys, who slip out of the promotion picture, with Valley Rangers continuing to lead the way by five points from Ards Rangers and Oxford Sunnyside.
Greenisland Seconds remain on course for course for a perfect league campaign in Division 6, defeating First Bangor this week. Victories elsewhere were recorded by Wellington Rec, Bloomfield and Carrick Rangers Falcons Seconds.
Just the two games in the Development League this week, with victories for Civil Service and Dungiven Celtic.
Round up by Colin Hopkins