Champions Illies Celtic leapfrogged Bonagee United and went top of the North West Women’s Super League on Thursday night, while Fanad United had a fine away win in Greencastle and Lagan Harps were big winners at home to Moville.
Illies Celtic 2 Bonagee United 0
Illies Celtic, the defending champions, climbed above Bonagee United and onto the summit of the North West Women’s Super League on Thursday night thanks to this win at Stranaclea.
Paula McGrory and Brianna Doherty netted the goals for Illies in a hard-fought battle between two of the title chasers.
Bonagee had went top a fortnight earlier, but it was Illies who moved into pole position with four sets of fixtures remaining.
John Doherty’s team showed a clinical and ruthless edge to leave Bonagee with a harsh lesson to learn in taking chances and punishing mistakes.
Bonagee had a series of golden chances, but couldn’t put them away and Illies made them pay a big price.
McGrory put Illies ahead midway through the second half. After capitalising on an error in the Bonagee rearguard, the ever-reliable and deadly McGrory broke clear and slotted past Clare Friel for the opener.
Bonagee will feel they could – and should – have been ahead by then.
Shannon McBride fired wide as Bonagee sought an early breakthrough, while Niamh McCarthy almost caught Illies off guard. McCarthy’s dipping, dangerous effort dropped just a fraction too late.
Bonagee had won 4-3 in a thriller earlier in the season here and this game was no lest frenetic, even if there wasn’t the same volume of goals.
McBride had another go, but the Bonagee striker was just off cue.Â
Just before half-time, Chantelle Grant struck a free-kick into the ‘keeper’s arms.
Anna Doherty almost caught the Illies ‘keeper off guard with a stinging effort from distance and Doherty went close again with a crisp volley that flashed wide.
Natalie McFadden, sent on as a half-time replacement for the injured McCarthy, made an opening, but curled wide, while Claire Orr was off target when she could have grabbed the opening goal.
Friel was alert on a couple of occasions to keep her sheet clean before McGrory broke the deadlock.
With Bonagee in search of an equaliser, they were caught in possession and Brianna Doherty’s shot from distance crept in at the far post.
Lagan Harps 12 Moville Celtic 3
Lagan dominated the majority of the game with Shannon Cunningham scoring four in the first half.Â
Coleen McElroy’s excellent free kick for Moville took the margin back to three but Danielle McDevitt (2), Heather Dougherty (2) and Nadine Crawford scored to extend the lead 9-1 at half time.Â
In a more even game in second half Cara Harkin ran though the Lagan defence before scoring in the bottom corner.
 Erin Coyle also scored after a good run down the right.Â
With Moville dominating the first 15 minutes of the second half, Lagan got three back with Brenda Sweeney, Heather Dougherty and another from Shannon Cunningham.
Best for Lagan Shannon Cunningham and Orla Boyle with Cara Harkin and Coleen McElroy impressing for Moville.
Greencastle FC 2 Fanad United 4
Fanad United continued their fine campaign as they moved into joint second with a great away win over Greencastle at Chapel Lane.
Laura Dugera, Zoe Green, Amanda Callaghan and Noelle McMenamin netted the goals for Packie McElwaine’s team.
(no report received for this game)
