With the Premiership teams having a free week due to international fixtures the spotlight fell on the penultimate week of the Coca Cola Championship.
In one of the most exciting title races in year’s leaders YMCA slipped up against relegation threatened Carrick.
Lorna Hill scored the only goal of the game to hand Carrick an unlikely three points.
The title race will now go right to the wire with YMCA, Cliftonville, and Donegal Celtic all chasing the top spot.
Fermanagh Mallards came out on top in their mid table tussle with Dromore Amateurs.
Louise Kelly and Kirsty Bates both scored for the County Down side but the Mallards held on to win 4-2.
Larne and Coleraine shared the spoils after a cracking 2-2 draw.
Chelsea McComb and player boss Alison Nicholl netted for the Bannsiders with Gill Small and Jackie Moore replying for Larne.
Larne continued their draw sequence in their second game of the week when they drew 1-1 with Carrick in a Sunday fixture at Inver Park.
Rangers picked up another priceless point in their battle to avoid the drop to division one and in the process closed the gap on second from bottom Coleraine.
Carla Wright netted for a resurgent Carrick with Laura Aitkin scoring for Larne.
St Matthews lifted the Coca Cola division one title in some style with a crushing 4-0 win over Glenavon.
Hot shot Rachel Rogan netted four goals that should almost certainly consign the Lurgan Blues to division two next season.
Knockbreda pulled off something of a surprise when they beat Downpatrick 3-2 at Dunleath Park.
Knockbreda’s Louise Orr doubled her tally for the season with a brace and was ably assisted by Jenny Thompson.
Kyla Trainor and Tracey McGarry replied for an out of sorts Downpatrick.
Armagh who have fallen away badly in recent weeks made short work of Portaferry.
The Orchard County girls will have pleased manager Ryan McConville with the 3-1 win.
On the score sheet were Danielle Creaney with a hat trick with Amy McCarthy hitting Portaferry’s only goal.
Tollymore and Blackieville recorded a 2-2 draw with Tollymore guilty of some glaring misses.
Striker Amy Nicholson continued her excellent form for Tollymore with another goal to add to an earlier strike from Laura Byrne.
In Coca Cola division two Limavady maintain a slender lead over Banbridge having beaten Derry City 3-0 last week.
It has been a fantastic season for Limavady after their struggles last year and totally vindicates the management committees’ decision to allocate them a place in division two.
Charlene O’Hara scored twice with Rebecca McMullan adding the other to put the Roesiders within touching distance of their first title trophy.
Moyola Park maintained their recent good form with a battling 2-1 win over Ballymoney.
Jessica McClure and Louise Murphy netted for Moyola with the Ballymoney consolation strike coming from Nicola McComb.
Cappagh Spurs suffered a 7-1 humbling at the hands of Banbridge.
Seven different scorers found the net for the County Down team with Alex Hurst, Natalie Lennon, Gemma Jackson, Tina Bush, Ashlene Cull, Rebecca Napier and Danna O’Donnell all on target.
Cappagh however battled to the finish with Julie Fraser scoring her sides only goal.
In the Coca Cola division 3 champions Bangor produced a champagne performance to thump Ballynahinch 5-0.
Natasha Lee continued her pursuit of the title of the divisions top scorer with another hat trick and was well supported by Deirdre Savage and Lauren McAteer who also found the net.
Wellington Rec seem to be finishing the season with a flourish and thrashed Ballyvange in a 7-0.
Ballyvange made a promising enough start to the season by winning three games in as many weeks but have struggled to keep the momentum going.
It was braces all round for the Recs’ Vicky Cleland, Sara Moore and Janice Wilkin with Sasha Boyd completing the scoring.
Mid-table Killyleagh and Rossglass County produced a seven goal thriller in their derby battle.
County came away with the points and the plaudits in a real nail biter that had the fans at the Killyleagh showgrounds on the edge of their seats.
Donna Marie Carson scored twice with Susan McCully adding the other for the home team.
In Coca Cola Division four Kilkeel should take the title and will be playing Division three football next season.
However, they had to work for their latest victory with Lisburn Distillery pushing them all the way before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat.
Nicole Graham plundered a hat trick for the Mourne girls with Aimee McKeown and Catherine Cochrane replying for the whites.
Portadown maintained their push to finish second with a 3-1 over the PSNI.
Jenna McDonnell, Rachel Hall and Aisling McKenna all scored for the Ports with Caroline Walker netting for the PSNI.
Bottom clubs Moneyslane and Dromara Village met this week at Ingram Park in a local derby.
Moneyslane recorded their first win of the season in some style with a 3-nil win over the Villagers.
Naomi Ardis, Stephanie Connor and Kate Rowan were all on target for the Slane.
Rathcoole enjoyed their short trip up the road to Crumlin when they collected the three points after a 3-2 win.
Ashleigh Mawhinney, Lisa Barratt and Danielle Johnston all scored for Rathcoole with Orlaith Mullen and Kathy Scannell strikes not being enough for Crumlin.
Report by: Gareth Irvine
