FRIDAY night sees the return of domestic action in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership with surprise package Lisburn Rangers aiming to try and surge ahead at the summit.
With the top sides having featured in the Avenir All-Island tournament last week, it’s back to basics and the aim of getting three points on the board.
Friday night sees two games taking place, with Glentoran hosting Mid Ulster and Linfield inviting Lisburn Rangers to town.
Sunday afternoon sees the conclusion of this round of fixtures with Larne travelling to face Cliftonville, while Derry City welcome Crusaders Strikers to the Brandywell.
The pick of the round is undoubtedly at Midgley Park this evening when third-placed Linfield take on league newcomers Lisburn Rangers.
Fresh from qualifying for the quarter-finals of the All-Island after a six-goal thumping of Lisburn Ladies, the Blues return to Midgley full of confidence.
Eve Reilly was the star of the show with a superb second half hat-trick, with all six goals coming in a frenetic second half.
The south Belfast team were the only northern side to progress in the competition.
Only a few months ago Linfield fans would have classed tonight’s game as a ‘banker’ for the three points but Rangers have shown they are more than capable of holding their own in the top flight.
Victories over Larne and Derry City have shown there can be success stories for teams progressing from the Championship.
Not only have Rangers made a positive start in the league, but they also have a League Cup Final to look forward to at the end of next month.
League leaders Cliftonville will be confident of grabbing the three points when they come up against Larne at Solitude on Sunday.
The Inver Park side are on a mission to build a team as successful as their male counterparts, but this weekend may not offer the best opportunity to pick up their first points of the season.
Cliftonville have been in irresistible form so far this season and despite missing out on all-island qualification they did finish their national campaign with a superb victory away to Cork City. Danielle Maxwell is back from Blackburn and firing on all cylinders, leading to a call-up to Tanya Oxtoby’s Northern Ireland side.
Title-holders Glentoran host Mid-Ulster at Blanchflower in what may be a one-sided affair. The visitors have shipped 10 goals in their two games so far which is a worrying stat, considering they have only scored a single goal. The Glens have only played one game as yet, but that opening day 6-0 victory over Crusaders shows a real intent to successfully defend their title.
Finally, the Crues make the trip to the north west to face a struggling Derry City. Eight-placed Derry have lost both their opening fixtures, whilst Crusaders recovered from their demolition at the hands of the Glens to defeat Mid-Ulster 5-1 in round two.