WYW v Shelbourne LFC (League Cup)

Tight game in a damp AUL, Clonshaugh, last night with both defences generally on top, but Shelbourne LFC nicked the goal to put them a stage further in the WNL Cup. WYW made a few changes and started with Tamara, Linda, Lolly, Nicola, Lauren, Chelsee, Kylie, Jess, Orla, Aoibhin and with Claire up front. Shels played with a strong breeze in the first half and, while they had more possession, a resolute WYW defence, with Lauren Dwyer being a major addition after coming back from injury, generally managed to cope. On eight minutes, Shels had a header over the bar. First chance for Wexford came on 20 minutes when Claire O'Riordan had an athletic hook over her shoulder which went just past the post. Shels best player, Roma McLoughlin, then had a shot straight at Tamara Furlong in the Wexford goal and had another shot over the bar when reasonably well-placed. 0-0 at half-time.

Shels continued their slight edge in the first period of the second half. On five minutes, Niamh Prior had a decent effort blocked for a corner. With ten gone, Leanne Kiernan came on as a sub for Shels. Two minutes later, Shels got the decisive goal when a few nudges around the box allowed a Shels attacker to poke the ball home at the far post. Just after the hour mark, Amy Walsh came on in place of Chelsee Snell for Wexford and Wexford played better after going a goal down. Rachel Hutchinson came on as second sub for Wexford and played a good cameo role. With fifteen to go, Wexford's Linda Douglas did well to steer a dangerous Shels cross just the right side of her own post for a corner. Wexford's great chance to equalise came a minute later when a good break from a Shels corner allowed Claire O'Riordan to play in Aoibhin Webb for a shot straight at Niamh Reid Burke in the Shels goal, but unfortunately Aoibhin couldn't manage to keep it on target. Jenny O'Keeffe was the final sub for Wexford and the match finished with Jess Gleeson having a powerful shot from distance which went two feet over the bar and Niamh Reid Burke producing an athletic save to keep Claire O'Riordan's curling shot out of the net. So final score of 1-0 to Shels who move into the next round. Best for Wexford were the defensive line of Linda, Lolly, Nicola and Lauren, while a common complaint for Wexford, the relative isolation of Claire O'Riordan up front, continues to be a problem.