Ballymena Allstars Women 0-3 St. James Swifts Women | Northern Ireland Women’s Super League

St. James Swifts Women delivered a commanding performance away from home, cruising past Ballymena Allstars Women 3‑0 at the Showgrounds on May 14, 2026. The Swifts moved to the top of the Northern Ireland Women’s Super League table with this dominant display.

Match Overview

The visitors took control from the first minute, pressing high and forcing errors from the Allstars defence. Ballymena struggled to cope with the pace and movement of Swift’s attacking trio.

Key Moments

• 11th minute: St. James Swifts opened the scoring. A corner was headed down by defender Megan Bell, and striker Emily Wilson reacted quickest to smash home from close range.
• 35th minute: The lead was doubled. A swift break down the right flank saw winger Chloe McCartan square the ball for Wilson to tap in her second of the night.
• 62nd minute: Wilson completed her hat‑trick. She latched onto a long ball over the top, rounded the keeper, and finished into an empty net.
• 75th minute: Ballymena’s best chance came from a free‑kick that struck the crossbar, but it was too little, too late.

Tactical Story

St. James Swifts played a fluid 3‑4‑3 formation, with full‑backs pushing high to overload Ballymena’s backline. Their high press forced mistakes, and they transitioned quickly. Ballymena’s midfield was overrun, leaving their forwards isolated.

Standout Players

• Emily Wilson (St. James Swifts) – Scored a perfect hat‑trick and was a constant threat.
• Chloe McCartan (St. James Swifts) – Two assists and tireless running down the flank.
• Katie Bell (Ballymena Allstars) – Made several good saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Table and Season Impact

The victory put St. James Swifts top of the Northern Ireland Women’s Super League, two points clear of second‑placed Glentoran. Ballymena remained in the relegation zone, now seven points adrift of safety with only six games left. The defeat was a heavy blow to their survival hopes.