WYW v TEK (FAI Cup)

Wexford Youths Women progressed to the FAI Cup semi-final with a relatively comfortable win against TEK in the TEK grounds in Stradbrook this afternoon, but despite dominating the game WYW had to work hard to create chances against a physically strong TEK, who were particularly impressive defensively and especially in the middle of the back four. On a hard uneven pitch, Wexford began with Maeve, Lynn, Lolly, Nicola, Ciara, Aisling, Edel, Kylie, Aoife, Lauren and with Rianna up front. Wexford began well as TEK poured everyone behind the ball. It took only four minutes for Wexford to find the breakthrough goal, as a shot by Edel Kennedy took a massive deflection to give the TEK keeper no chance. The TEK keeper then did well to keep out a Rianna Jarrett rasper before a Lauren Kelly goal was ruled out for an earlier handball against Edel Kennedy. On 33 minutes, Rianna Jarrett converted further Wexford pressure as she powered a bullet header home at the far post from a Ciara Rossiter corner. It became 3-0 on 44 minutes when a Lauren Kelly shot took a massive bounce over a helpless diving TEK keeper. 3-0 at half-time with Maeve Williams in the Wexford goal being a mere spectator for most of it.

Wexford continued their dominance in the second period and made it 4-0 on four minutes when Aisling Frawley curled a shot home after being set up by Kylie Murphy. With nothing to lose, TEK came out of their shell a bit and got a goal back when a quick free-kick caught the Wexford defence sleeping and a free far-post header was converted to make it 4-1. Wexford brought on Becky Cassin, Fiona Ryan and Vanessa Ogbonna as the second half progressed but, despite further pressure, Wexford couldn’t get a fifth goal although the Wexford substitutes fitted in well into the Wexford “machine.” A late TEK header hit the Wexford crossbar and went over the bar as Wexford moved serenely to the Cup semi-final where they’ll meet Peamount, Shels or Galway. 4-1 to Wexford at full-time.

Women's Cup Semi-Final Draw: Peamount v Shels; Wexford v Galway.