Wexford FC Women v Sligo Rovers

After a sub-par performance against Bohemians last week, Wexford got back to winning ways against Sligo in Ferrycarrig this evening, particularly as they immediately restored their two-goal lead when Sligo pulled a goal back in the second half. With Ciara Rossiter injured and Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan having dreadfully suffered what is believed to be a second ACL injury last week, Wexford started with Maria, Lolly, Della, Lauren, Kylie, Becky, Aoife, Ellen, Freya, Charlotte and Siun. From the start, Wexford took control of the game with some nice passing although interspersed with some poor giveaways. On ten minutes, Aoife Kelly rounded the Sligo keeper, Amber Hardy, but there were too many Sligo defenders back to protect their goal. Charlotte Cromack of Wexford then headed over at the far post before Ellen Molloy muscled her way through the Sligo defence, but with only Hardy to beat pulled her right-footed shot just wide of the Sligo post. On 18 minutes, good work by Ellen Molloy down Wexford’s right enabled Ellen to cross low for Charlotte Cromack who knocked it into the empty Sligo net. 1-0 to Wexford. Kylie Murphy then nearly made it a second for Wexford with a header which Hardy just managed to push around the post for a Wexford corner. Soon afterwards, Charlotte Cromack then headed over the Sligo bar again after a really good Wexford move. First real effort on goal by Sligo came just after the half-hour mark with a shot from outside the Wexford area which went a couple of yards wide. On 41 minutes, a reverse pass by Ellen Molloy put Kylie Murphy in the clear down Wexford’s right, and Kylie’s cross/shot hit the inside of the far post and in to give Hardy no chance and it was 2-0 to Wexford. Just before the half ended, Kylie had another effort on goal but it went the other side of the Sligo upright and Wexford looked comfortable at halftime with a two-goal cushion.

Sligo had their best spell of the game at the beginning of the second half as Wexford’s keeper, Maria O’Sullivan, pushed away a decent Sligo header and then a Sligo hooked effort went just past the Wexford post. Millie Daly then came on in place of Lauren Dwyer for Wexford and the visitors pulled a goal back when Sligo sub, Mairead McIntyre, was put through on the Wexford goal and she finished well past O’Sullivan. 2-1 at this stage. But Wexford killed the game off immediately afterwards as Ellen Molloy was put into space just outside the Sligo area and she finished with her trade-mark left-footed finish. 3-1 to Wexford. Two good corners by Sligo’s Emma Hansberry almost crept in to the Wexford net before Amber Hardy cleaned out Wexford’s Aoife Kelly as she ran through on goal with Hardy picking up a red card. From the resulting free, Della Doherty poked the ball home after the free fell to her inside the Sligo area for 4-1. Late subs for Wexford were Aine Walsh who did well, Leah McGrath and it was also great to see the return of Michaela Lawrence after such a long period out due to injury. Wexford then made it 5-1 when Leah McGrath didn’t give up a lost cause and crossed low for Aoife Kelly to convert from close in. 5-1 to Wexford at fulltime. Decent performances all over the pitch by Wexford.