WYW v Castlebar Celtic

As the scoreline suggests, big gap in standards between the two sides as WYW profited from an irresistible display of football in the first half. WYW started 3-5-2 with Tamara in goal, Nicola, Jess and Clare (Bosco) Conlon in defence, a midfield five of Linda, Emma, Kylie, Aisling and Ciara and with Rianna and Claire O'Riordan up front. Castlebar set up for me very naively with their midfield not providing any protection to a decent back four. As a result, any of Wexford midfielders who got into the box were generally left free and scored a bagful of goals accordingly. All of Wexford's midfielders played well, but the keys for me were Ciara Rossiter who was a constant threat on the left wing and Aisling Frawley who showed off her passing ability playing just behind the front two.

The scoring started on 11 minutes when the ball ran through for Ciara Rossiter who shot hit the net at the near post for 1-0. Jess Gleeson made it 2-0 when what looked like an over-long cross from way out on the right wing sailed into the opposite top corner of the goal.. On the quarter-hour, it was 3-0 when Claire O'Riordan scored with a near-post flick from a corner.

A Kylie Murphy penalty made it 4-0 and then a lovely chip of the Castlebar keeper by Ciara Rossiter made it 5-0. A Ciara Rossiter peno made it 6-0. Claire O'Riordan made it 7-0 when she rounded the Castlebar keeper and tapped home. A smashing direct free-kick by Emma Hansberry made it 8-0. Claire O'Riordan's header from Bosco Conlon's cross made it 9-0. Castlebar then had an effort which was off-target on 34 minutes after a good passing move. Emma Hansberry made it 10-0 with a lovely shot from 35 yards out. Aisling Frawley then made it 11-0 with a tap home after another WYW attack. It was 12-0 when a bullet effort by Kylie Murphy went through the Castlebar keeper's hands. Finally for the first period, a free header by Kylie Murphy made it 13-0 at half-time when virtually every attack by Wexford had led to a goal.

Rachel Hutchinson came on for Linda Douglas at half-time and it was 14-0 when Kylie scored with a deflected shot. Aoibhin Webb and Lolly Conlon then came on for Rianna Jarrett and Jess Gleeson. Kylie then finished well a good Wexford cross for 15-0 when an error in the Wexford defence allowed a Castlebar attacker run at Tamara Furlong in the Wexford goal and give the latter no chance for 15-1. Claire O'Riordan then scored with another header for 16-1 and she also got the final goal when she converted Ciara Rossiter's cross for 17-1 which ended up the final score. Easy game for WYW with the midfield doing all the damage with the incessant drive of Kylie and Emma in the middle, a hard-working Linda Douglas down the right and the stars in the first half of Ciara Rossiter and Aisling Frawley who both impressed greatly while playing out of their usual positions. Also good to see Jess Gleeson getting some game-time after her long lay-off. Castlebar didn't seem to have any available substitutes so hopefully they can regroup after this defeat. Fair play also to the travelling supporters who made the long journey. 17-1 at full time and am subject to correction on any goalscorers.