Sion hopes hanging by a thread

SION Swifts’ quest for a first ever Danske Bank Women’s Premiership title is out of their own hands after twice surrendering the lead in their 2-2 draw against fellow challengers Linfield at Melvin.

 

Erin McLaughlin (Fildara) twice fired Tony McGinley’s team in front but on each occasion the advantage was short-lived and equalising goals by Rebecca McKenna and Alison Smyth means Sion will need to pull out all the stops by winning their final three games and hope that Crusaders can do them a favour by taking points of league leaders Glentoran.

 

The Glens need to win just one of their final two games against the Crues away and Sion at home while McGinley’s charges have it all to do by defeating both the Glens and Blues in Belfast and Cliftonville at home.

 

It’s a tall order by any stretch of the imagination but the north Tyrone outfit are not without hope given that Crusaders, who hit a magnificent seven against the Reds, are capable of producing a surprise result against the Glens.

 

In the meantime Sion will have to keep plugging away well aware that they have been left with absolutely no room for error.

 

But, while there is still a glimmer of hope, McGinley believes the league is now over.

 

“I think so I’ve been involved in the ladies game long to know that the league is gone,” he said.

 

“At this stage it’s our intention to finish up the league as high as possible.

 

“Reflecting on Wednesday evening, I ask did we do enough to win the game? I’m not so sure.

 

“Frustrating would be the word I would use. We took the lead twice and that knack of conceding goals this season again came back to haunt us.”

 

FULL STORY IN TODAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE