Wexford FC Women v Athlone

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Important game in Ferrycarrig tonight as Wexford Women attempted to cement a fourth place league finish while Athlone were trying to preserve their lead at the top of the table. With a nice greasy surface and a sizzling atmosphere, particularly between the two dug-outs, Wexford started with Jayne, Abby, Lolly, Della, Ceola, Rossi, Meabh, Nicola, Aoibheann, Aine and Grace. Wexford had an early chance when Aine Walsh found herself beyond the last Athlone defender but shot too early to give Katie Keane in the Athlone goal an easy save. Madie Gibson then went into a 50-50 tackle and came out with an injury but, fortunately for Athlone, was able to continue. After Athlone had a couple of corners, Wexford’s Aine Walsh again had a chance for the home side but it proved to be another easy save for Keane. On 18 minutes, Athlone went ahead when their corner to the near post couldn’t be cleared by the Wexford defence and Brenda Tabe was able to force the ball home for Athlone. However, Wexford were able to equalise with a cracking goal by Ciara ‘Rossi’ Rossiter who was set up by good work from Grace FR and buried a shot into the top corner from about 25 yards out to give Keane no chance. Athlone continued to press forward, particularly down their left where Madie Gibson was outstanding but Wexford held on to find themselves level at halftime at 1-1 after Athlone’s Roisin Molloy had hit a shot a yard wide of the Wexford post.

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The second half was pretty even with chances hard to come by. The hard-working Ceola Bergin for Wexford had an effort a yard over the Athlone bar which followed an Athlone effort on the Wexford goal. Wexford introduced Leah McGrath as a sub before, on 18 minutes, a cross from the left by Gibson was headed home by Tabe at the far post to give Athlone a 2-1 lead. Kylie Murphy, Teegan Lynch and Rianna Jarrett were subsequently introduced by Wexford as the home side pushed for an equaliser. After Roisin Molloy had a header for Athlone a yard wide, Wexford almost secured an equaliser on 90 minutes when a Wexford corner bounced several times inside the Athlone six-yard area but couldn’t be forced across the Athlone goal-line before Keane gratefully fell on it. So, 2-1 to Athlone at full-time and a big step for them in their efforts to secure their first league title. Best for Wexford were Ciara Rossiter, Ceola Bergin, Aoibheann Clancy, Nicola Sinnott and Lolly Conlon.