Illies Celtic can retain the North West Women’s Super League title if they beat fellow title chasers Bonagee United at Dry Arch Park next Thursday evening.
Illies were held to a one-all draw by Fanad United at Stranaclea at the same time as Bonagee failed to make hay as they went down to a 5-2 loss to Greencastle.
All that means that there are only five points separating the top four teams heading into the final two rounds of games.
Greencastle 5 Bonagee United 2
Four goals from Niamh McDonald helped Greencastle FC defeat Bonagee United at Chapel Lane on Thursday night.
McDonald was on fire as Paddy Keys’ team handed Bonagee their heaviest defeat of what has been an encouraging season, putting something of a dent in the Dry Arch side’s title hopes.
McDonald fired Greencastle ahead after capitalising on slack defending from the visitors. That goal came after a couple of big chances for the hosts as shellshocked Bonagee struggled to get a foothold in the contest.
Chantelle Grant shot a free kick into the goalkeeper’s arms and Anna Doherty also worked the ‘keeper as Bonagee sought a way back in it.
And they got a lifeline just before the break when Natalie McFadden tucked home a clinical finish.
Bonagee might have gone in front after half-time, with McFadden driving over from a good position and Anna Doherty off target with another big chance.
But Greencastle, led by the pace of Kerry Browne and the tireless endeavour from McDonald, regained control of the tie.
And two quick-fire breakaway goals had this one in the bag.
Browne got on the mark with a deserved goal and, for good measure, McDonald took her tally for the evening to four with a fine finish.
Bonagee midfielder Niamh McCarthy cracked home an excellent goal late in the night, but it was a case of too little, too late.
Illies Celtic 1 Fanad United 1
Zoe Green’s wonderful free-kick earned Fanad United a share of the spoils away to defending champions Illies on Thursday night.
Green swung home in the closing stages to give Packie McElwaine’s side a deserved share of the spoils
Kirsty Downey had put John Doherty’s Illies in front with a superb 20-yard strike.
Lagan Harps 2 Carndonagh 5
Tara O’Connor and Naomi Callaghan bagged a brace apiece as Carndonagh denied Lagan Harps the chance to win the second section of the North West Women’s Super League at Orchard Park on Thursday night.
While Orla McGrath and Heather Dougherty netted for Lagan, the doubles of O’Connor and Callaghan, plus another by Cliona Gibbons, moved Carn into command.
