Ballymena Allstars Women 3-1 Craigavon City (W): Dominant Display in NI Women's Super League

Ballymena Allstars Women continued their strong run in the Northern Ireland Women's Super League with a convincing 3-1 victory over Craigavon City Women on 30 July 2026. The match, played at Ballymena’s home ground, saw the hosts control the game from start to finish, securing a vital three points in the league standings.

Match Overview

The encounter kicked off under clear skies, with Ballymena eager to bounce back from a recent setback. They started brightly, pressing Craigavon high up the pitch and creating early chances. Craigavon, sitting mid-table, aimed to frustrate the home side but found themselves under constant pressure.

First Half: Ballymena Take Control

Ballymena opened the scoring in the 19th minute. A precise through ball split the Craigavon defence, and the striker slotted calmly past the onrushing goalkeeper. The hosts doubled their lead just before half-time, capitalizing on a defensive error to make it 2-0. Craigavon struggled to create any meaningful chances, with Ballymena’s midfield dominating possession.

Second Half: Craigavon Fight Back but Ballymena Hold Firm

Craigavon came out with renewed energy after the interval and pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute. A corner was not cleared properly, and the ball fell to an unmarked Craigavon forward, who hammered it into the net. The goal lifted the visitors, but Ballymena responded immediately. Just five minutes later, a swift counter-attack restored the two-goal cushion at 3-1.

For the remainder of the half, Ballymena managed the game expertly, dropping deeper and inviting pressure but staying compact. Craigavon could not find a way through a well-organized defence, and Ballymena closed out a deserved victory.

Key Tactical Story

Ballymena’s high-intensity press and quick transitions were the difference. They forced turnovers in midfield and used the flanks effectively to stretch the Craigavon backline. Craigavon, after pulling one back, became more direct but lacked the creativity to unlock a resolute defense.

Standout Players

• Ballymena Allstars Women: The midfield trio controlled the game, with the number 10 pulling the strings and providing two assists. The forward line was sharp and clinical in front of goal.
• Craigavon City (W): Their goal scorer showed good instincts, while the goalkeeper made several crucial saves to keep the score respectable.

Table Impact

This win moves Ballymena up the NI Women's Super League table, keeping them in contention for a top spot. For Craigavon, the defeat leaves them in the middle of the pack, needing to improve their defensive organization to climb higher.