Wexford FC Women v Bohemians (FAI Cup)

Case of too little, too late unfortunately for Wexford this evening as they went out of the FAI Cup to Bohs who were the better team on the night. With Ellen Molloy still on international duty (although to what end we’ll hopefully see on Sunday evening) Wexford began with Maria, Lolly, Della, Kylie, Becky, Aoife, Leah, Lauren, Freya, Charlotte and Aisling. Wexford were particularly ineffective during the first half and didn’t have a shot on goal as far as I can remember with Rachel Kelly in the Bohs goal having nothing to do. Charlotte Cromack at least tried to make some impression down her left wing, but unfortunately had to come off injured before the break with Siun Murdiff coming on in her place. The Wexford management did at least try to change things around as the first half progressed but it didn’t have a huge amount of effect. In contrast, Bohs were a good deal more creative with former Wexford player, Sarah McKevitt, getting some good crosses in to the danger area from her wing. After a number of corners for Bohs, the away side went ahead on 16 minutes when the tall Roisin McGovern headed home a cross from Bohs right wing. 1-0 to Bohs. Wexford continued to make little impression with only a corner on 24 minutes which was headed wide and a decent Freya De Mange free which nobody could get on the end of to show for their efforts. In contrast, Wexford’s Maria O’Sullivan was forced to make a really good save with her feet on 43 minutes to keep Wexford from going two goals behind. 1-0 to Bohs at halftime.

Second half continued in much the same vein with Rachel Kelly remaining idle and, on 55 minutes, Aine Walsh was introduced as a sub for Wexford. Immediately, Wexford went a further goal behind when Hannah Healy buried a left-footed effort into the top corner of the Wexford goal for 2-0. It took Wexford until 17 minutes of the second half to really test Rachel Kelly for the first time, as she was forced to divert a Siun Murdiff effort over her own crossbar. A real boost for Wexford was then caused by the very welcome return from injury of Ciara Rossiter after a long absence. Wexford then clicked somewhat into gear and Aoife Kelly had an effort a yard wide of the Bohs goal before Ciara Rossiter got Wexford back into the game with ten minutes to go when she finished a through-ball with her left past Kelly for 2-1. Wexford applied some pressure for a second goal right at the end through a free and a corner, both taken by Becky Cassin, but nothing came of them and Bohs, through their general play over the 90 minutes, deserved to go through on the basis of the 2-1 final scoreline. Good to see the return of Rossi and the All-Island Cup quarter-final next week against Peamount becomes even more critical for the home side and their season.