Report and photo: Sam Johnston
Amanda Morton scored a hat-trick as Larne Ladies kept their title hopes on track with a hard fought 4-1 win away to Armagh City, to maintain their 100% league record.
Morgan Hanna was also on target thanks to a superb long-range strike, with William Noble now requiring just one more victory to clinch promotion.
The visitors made a strong start as Amanda Morton saw her header come off the post in the early exchanges. However, the same player went one better five minutes later, as Georgia Crawford’s cross from the right saw her play Morton in to open the scoring.
Larne doubled their lead five minutes before the break. Jenny Montgomery made a run down the line before playing the ball to Morton, who then tapped home to double her and Larne’s tally going into the half-time break.
Early in the second half Larne rammed home their advantage as they were awarded a penalty. Amanda Morton stepped up and slotted home for a her hat-trick.
The hosts pulled one back with 20 minutes to play, with centre forward Dougan-Toal firing home from 20 yards making the score 3-1.
Larne were came close to restoring their three-goal cushion 10 minutes from time, but the home goalkeeper made a super double save to keep them at bay.
However, a few minutes later Morgan Hanna popped up with a superb strike to make it 4-1, as her 35-yard strike found the roof of the net.
The result meant the Inver Women made it nine wins from nine game and one game away from securing promotion to the championship. Hat-trick hero Amanda Morton earned the Player of the Match award.
