The Ballymena Allstars Women delivered a composed and clinical performance to knock Craigavon City out of the Northern Ireland Women's Cup with a 2-0 victory at a rain-soaked venue on 18 July 2026. The away side controlled large spells of the contest and struck twice in the second half to book their place in the next round, while Craigavon City were left to rue missed chances in front of goal.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Ballymena Allstars looked the sharper outfit, moving the ball quickly through midfield and pressing high. Craigavon City, playing on home turf, struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined defensive block. The first half ended goalless, with both sides creating only half-chances, but the momentum clearly belonged to the visitors.

Key Moments

• 54th minute – Ballymena break the deadlock: A well-worked corner routine saw the ball flicked on at the near post and turned in from close range by the Allstars' centre-forward. The goal came against the run of a brief Craigavon spell and deflated the home side.
• 73rd minute – Second goal seals the win: A swift counter-attack caught Craigavon City stretched. The Allstars' winger latched onto a long ball, drove into the box, and slotted low past the advancing goalkeeper to double the lead.
• 80th minute – Craigavon push but fail to convert: The home side won a free kick in a dangerous area, but the effort sailed over the bar. Moments later a header from a corner was cleared off the line, summing up their frustration.

Tactical Story

Ballymena Allstars Women set up in a compact 4-4-2 that turned into a 4-5-1 without the ball, suffocating Craigavon City's central midfielders. Their full-backs pushed high to support attacks but tracked back diligently. Craigavon tried to play through the middle but were forced wide, where crosses were comfortably dealt with by the Allstars' central defenders. The introduction of a second striker for Craigavon in the 65th minute briefly unsettled Ballymena, but the away side's fitness and organisation saw them through.

Star Performers

• Ballymena Allstars goalkeeper: Made three crucial saves, including a point-blank stop late in the first half, and commanded her area well on set pieces.
• Ballymena's goalscorer (second goal): Her pace on the counter was a constant threat, and she clinically finished the match-winning chance.
• Craigavon City's centre-back: Despite the defeat, she made several important interceptions and blocks, keeping the scoreline respectable.

Impact on the Cup

Ballymena Allstars Women advance confidently in the Northern Ireland Women's Cup, building momentum after a solid league campaign. For Craigavon City, the focus now shifts entirely to their domestic league position, with cup dreams ended for another season. The result also highlights the growing competitiveness of women's football in Northern Ireland, where smaller clubs continue to challenge established names.

The match was played in front of a modest but vocal crowd, with both sets of supporters applauding a hard-fought contest that ultimately belonged to the visitors.