Women Premiership 
April 28, 2023, 7:45 pm
Larne
2 - 5
Lisburn Ladies
Inver Park
Attendance: 152
Women's First Team
Referee: Louise Thompson

Match Report

Larne Women fall victim to a strong Lisburn Ladies side in their first-ever top-flight match at home.

The newly promoted side, who lost 0-7 away to Sion Swifts Ladies in their opening game of the season last Sunday, were unable to cope with the visitors’ firepower, eventually falling to a 5-2 defeat.

Lisburn Ladies opened the scoring in the 17 minutes when Michelle McDaid slotted it home. Larne FC Women pulled one back shortly to level the scoreline thanks to Hollie Johnston volleying the ball over the keeper, but Lisburn Ladies restored their lead in the 39th minute when Stacey Murdough scored two goals in quick succession, catching the home side by surprise, leaving Larne 3-1 behind at the break.

The Larne goalkeeper, Kate Smith performed well throughout, saving plenty of efforts from the Lisburn side, although the pressure eventually told as Stacey Murdough made it a hat-trick for herself by scoring a third, quickly followed by Michelle getting a second for her efforts. In the final third of the game, Larne grew in confidence and put pressure on the opposition with runs in behind the defence and good spells of possession.

In stoppage time, Francesca Agnew went down under a challenge in the box and won the home side a penalty, which Amanda Morton confidently converted to earn a consolation second goal for the team.

Larne Women: Smith, Maguire, Nellins, Haveron, McMurray, Morton, Wilgaus, Houston, Johnston, Rachel Robinson, Rebekah Robinson

Subs: Buckley, Hanna, Orlowska, Agnew, Dougherty, Henderson