Wexford FC Women v Sligo Rovers

Determined performance by Wexford in Ferrycarrig this evening as they deservedly secured the three points against Sligo and got their first league win of the season. Wexford started with Jayne, Abby, Lolly, Della, Kylie, Ellen, Ceola, Rossi, Meabh, Aoibheann and Aine. Both sides, perhaps understandably, looked nervous during the first quarter hour or so with plenty of misplaced passes and a lack of composure on the ball. Wexford got what they needed on 17 minutes when Ellen Molloy broke free down Sligo’s right and she rounded Hardy comfortably in the Sligo goal to put Wexford ahead. The goal settled Wexford down and their game improved after that with Ceola Bergin having an effort a couple of yards wide, Kylie Murphy heading over when well placed and a corner by Aoibheann Clancy nearly creeping in at the far post. Sligo’s first real effort on target came on the half-hour mark when a shot drifted a yard wide of Wexford’s post. Wexford well worth their one goal lead at halftime.

Wexford appeared to make a couple of small errors following the start of the second half and the resulting free led to Sligo’s equaliser when a free to the far post was headed home by Sligo’s Kelly Crompton. Fortunately, Wexford restored their lead fairly quickly as Rossi went on a break and the ball returned to her to enable her to volley it home with her left for 2-1. Jayne Merren then did really well to push away a good Sligo effort to maintain Wexford’s lead. After a free Sligo header had fallen straight into the hands of Merren in the Wexford goal, Ciara Rossiter extended Wexford’s lead when she was played through and finished comfortably past Hardy in the Sligo goal for 3-1. Within a few minutes, Merren might have been fortunate when she escaped only with a yellow when she charged out of her area to prevent Sligo’s Jodie Loughrey from taking on a Sligo chance. Wexford finished well with Rossi creating a lot of threat down her wing and then getting her hat-trick when she converted a good cross by Ceola Bergin. Late subs for Wexford were Leah McGrath, Freya De Mange, Mia Lenihan and Millie Daly. Good performances, in particular, from Meabh Russell, Abby Tuthill, Aoibheann Clancy, Kylie Murphy, Ellen Molloy and Ciara Rossiter.