Belfast rivals Cliftonville Ladies and Linfield Ladies will be vying for a place in the last eight of this season’s Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup this evening.
The clash between the two NIFL Danske Bank Women’s Premiership teams in the second round of the competition should be an intriguing encounter.
The two teams met in the league at Midgley Park on Monday with the Reds coming out on top on a 5-2 scoreline.
Erin Montgomery, Niamh Connolly and Fi Morgan each scored for Cliftonville, while Northern Ireland international and former Linfield striker Kirsty McGuinness netted a double. Rebecca Bassett and Rebecca McKenna were the scorers for the Blues.
Cliftonville were drawn at home in the designated ‘tie of the round’, however the match has since been switched from Solitude to Midgley Park.
Given the league result earlier this week the Reds will be favourites to go through to the quarter-finals, however it’s cup football and that means anything could happen.
Glentoran Women, who like Cliftonville are flying high in the league and last won the cup in 2019, are at home to Derry City Women in the Round of 16 this evening in another all-Premiership clash.
2019: Glentoran's Jessica Foy is presented with the trophy by Anne Smyth from Electric Ireland
Crusaders Strikers, who have also had a decent season to date in the top flight, are up against NIWFA Championship side East Belfast Ladies, who have had a sluggish start to this campaign. East Belfast are the hosts.
Another Premiership v Championship clash sees Sion Swifts Ladies hit the road to face Killen Rangers Ladies in an all-Tyrone encounter.
There’s also one all-Championship tie as Mid Ulster Ladies prepare to host Belfast Celtic Ladies.
NIWFA Championship outfit St James’ Swifts Ladies, meanwhile, were set to welcome NIWFA Division 1 team Crewe United Ladies to Belfast but Crewe have since withdrawn from the competition meaning the Swifts progress straight to the quarter-final stage.
Camlough Rovers Ladies are the lowest ranked team still in the competition. The Division 3 outfit are away to Carnmoney Ladies, who have made a strong start in Division 2 this term.
And a big derby is in store in the city of Lisburn with Championship leaders Lisburn Ladies taking on Lisburn Rangers Ladies from NIWFA Division 2.
All second round ties are due to kick off at 7.30 this evening.
Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup R2 draw
Cliftonville Ladies v Linfield Ladies
Glentoran Women v Derry City Women
Carnmoney Ladies v Camlough Rovers Ladies
East Belfast Ladies v Crusaders Strikers
Lisburn Ladies v Lisburn Rangers Ladies
Mid Ulster Ladies v Belfast Celtic Ladies
Killen Rangers Ladies v Sion Swifts Ladies
St James’ Swifts Ladies BYE (Crewe United Ladies withdrew from competition)
