UCD Waves

[ForzaForth]

With WYW missing six of those who started last year's cup final (and a further starter having emigrated), and with further bad news on the injury front tonight, it's the sick bay which causes WYW more concern rather than the two points dropped against a UCD Wave side which probably shaded the game. WYW started with Tamara, Nicola, Lauren, Lolly, Emma, Kylie, Becky, Linda, Amy and with Aoibhin and Claire up front. UCD started the brighter and, on six minutes, UCD's Aine O'Gorman took the ball off an otherwise impressive Lauren Dwyer for the Youths but her shot went just over. First decent WYW chance came on 20 minutes when Claire O'Riordan had a snap-shot on the turn which went a yard wide. Four minutes later, Claire had another effort on goal which went just over the bar. Then, on 25 minutes, WYW went in front when Claire used her strength to get a shot away and McGuirk in the UCD goal pushed it away but it fell nicely to Aoibhin Webb who knocked it home for 1-0 to the home side. WYW's injury woes then took a turn for the worse when Lolly Conlon was stretchered off with what looked like a bad knee injury and was immediately replaced by Chelsea Snell making her WYW debut at left-full. With ten to go in the half, UCD's Julie Ann Russell made a good break down the left, and her low cross was stabbed home by Aine O'Gorman for 1-1. Just before the first period ended, UCD's Beirne just couldn't steer home a far post cross which Tamara Furlong found difficult to deal with and the half ended even-steven at 1-1.

[ForzaForth]

The impressive and evergreen Sylvia Gee for UCD then made Tamara Furlong work hard to keep a free out at the start of the second period before WYW had their best spell of the half when Claire O'Riordan was put clear but UCD's McGuirk came out to smother the low shot. This was followed by WYW's Becky Cassin having a chance of a volley on the turn from close in, but she was unable to keep it on target. UCD, playing with the breeze, had more of the play, but chances were relatively scarce although Aine O'Gorman did have a strike which went just over. Late subs for WYW were Rachel Hutchinson and debutant, Orla Casey, with Kylie Murphy also having to hobble off late on. A long-range free from Sylvia Gee which just went wide of the WYW post then finished the match with the score having remained unchanged from the 1-1 half-time tally. With WYW having so many long-term injuries, it's difficult at this stage to see them replicate the success of last year and new boss Gary Hunt has a task on his hands to cover for the missing talent. Best for WYW on the night were Nicola Sinnott, Lauren Dwyer and Emma Hansberry while Chelsea Snell looked very comfortable on her debut and looks a good addition to the WYW squad. Maybe, 100 at the game.