Lisburn Rangers vs Linfield (Friday, 7.45pm)
Lisburn Rangers face a difficult challenge as Alistair Dickson’s side host fourth placed Linfield on Friday at Midgley Park.
Both teams are enjoying an impressive run of form having each won four of their last five games and most recently claiming dominant victories scoring six goals in their Women’s Premiership Matchday 11 fixtures.
Lisburn Rangers completed a thorough 6-1 thrashing against Larne Ladies on Friday August 16. The victory put Rangers joint top of the table on points with 24 before Glentoran regained pole position on Monday with a 6-0 victory over Mid-Ulster.
Dickson’s side began proceedings early as Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland capitalised on a penalty in the seventh minute. The first half goals continued with strikes from Sophie-Kelly Bradley and Gracie Conway before Larne reduced the deficit from Aimee Nellins’ finish from a corner.
However, the Rangers were quick to regain control of the contest in the second half with further goals from captain Helen Parker, substitute Maeve McConaghy and a second goal from Gracie Conway to wrap up a one-sided contest.
They will be anticipating a far more competitive outing when they host Linfield after the Blues completed a flawless six goal rout of Lisburn Ladies at home last Friday.
Ryan McConville’s side bested Ranger’s performance by maintaining a clean sheet on Matchday 11 as they cruised past the Lisburn Ladies in an impressive victory which included a hat trick from Cora Chambers within the last 20 minutes of play. The sides completed entered the second half with only one goal to separate them after Linfield’s Keri Halliday put home a penalty in the 36th minute.
But the home side’s onslaught in the second half would see them put five more goals past their Lisburn-based opponents, including goals Eve Reilly and Jessica Hall before a Chambers hattrick cemented a dominant Linfield victory.
There will be little between the two sides as Linfield looks to close the gap on third placed Lisburn Rangers when they travel to Stanley Park on Friday.
Crusaders vs Derry City (Friday, 8pm)
On the opposite end of the table, Crusaders and Derry City are each looking for their first win in over four games as they both sit in sixth and seventh respectively with no points to separate them heading into their match-up at Seaview.
The Crues failed to penetrate Mid-Ulster’s when they travelled to Stangmore Park on Matchday 11, granting Noel Mitchell’s side their first point of the season in a stalwart performance. They will be hoping to overturn their three game goalless drought when they host the Candystripes on Friday.
Despite a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bangor Ladies in their recent Irish Women’s Cup quarter finals fixture, Derry City are also suffering a dismal run of league form having conceded 12 goals in their last three games including a 6-1 thrashing by Lisburn Rangers in their most recent league appearance.
A win for either club will boost them to fifth in the League above Lisburn Ladies as they seek to widen their gap from the lower teams in the table.
*Larne Ladies home fixture against Cliftonville Ladies has been postponed until further notice and both sides will return to Premiership action on Matchday 13 on Friday August 30.
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership
Lisburn Rangers v Linfield Women (kick-off 7:45pm)
Crusaders Strikers v Derry City Women (kick-off 8pm)
