Knowing the importance of the match, it may come as no surprise that both teams pushed for an early goal with Noami McLaughlin and Kirsty McGuinness both having shots from range denied in the opening 10 minutes.
Glens long-serving midfielder Caldwell then made a crucial block off the line to deny Lynch a great goalscoring chance before, at the other end, Gracie Conway’s low shot from distance proved a comfortable save for Emma Higgins.
Cliftonville broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Lynch flicked home Kirsty McGuinness’ pass from point-blank range
Shortly after, Kirsty McGuinness’ free-kick was palmed away by Ellie Scott, who then made a great reaction save to gather Abbie Magee’s effort from the rebound.
Just before the half-time whistle, Glentoran had a good chance to level the match with McLaughlin in action once again, but her shot curled over the crossbar.
It was a much slower start to the second half, but the home side levelled the match on 62 minutes after Caldwell turned in the box before firing a strong strike past Higgins.
The Glens then had a great chance to complete the comeback when Caldwell’s header from a Demi Vance corner took a deflection and flew just wide of the right-hand post.
In the final 10 minutes, the Reds restored their lead after Caitlin McGuinness robbed Faye Loughran of the ball and kept her composure to slot home.
The goal increased Cliftonville’s confidence with Toni-Leigh Finnegan’s header cleared off the line and Louise McDaniel’s strike gathered by Scott in the closing stages.
