WYW v Treaty

[ForzaForth]

Wexford gained an improbable and very hard-fought three points as they scored the winner with virtually the last kick of the game in an intriguing game against Treaty in Ferrycarrig this evening. Wexford started with Kiev, Nicola, Lauren D, Lolly, Lynn, Aoibheann, Lynn Marie, Doireann, Rossi, Ellen and Blessing. Having been trounced in the equivalent fixture in Limerick, Treaty started this game in a much more compact fashion and invited Wexford to break them down with Aoife Cronin being the lone Treaty player up front. Wexford found the puzzle hard to solve as, despite having virtually all the possession, they didn’t force Michaela Mitchell in the Treaty goal to make a meaningful save in the first half. Lynn Marie Grant and Ciara Rossiter had early efforts on goal for Wexford before, on 19 minutes, a floated free-kick by Wexford’s Aoibheann Clancy hit the far post and stayed out. Late on in the half, Ciara Rossiter had a volley about a yard over the Treaty cross-bar and Treaty were happy to go in at 0-0 at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Second half continued in much the same vein with Wexford not able to get anything on target as Treaty funnelled players behind the ball. Sinead Taylor was an early sub for Wexford in this half and her intelligent movement inside the Treaty area soon paid dividends as she moved to the near post to finish off a low cross by Ciara Rossiter for 1-0 to Wexford. Lauren Kelly then came on for Wexford as they looked to close off the game with their narrow single-goal lead. However, Wexford wobbled spectacularly as the game drew to a close as they allowed Treaty to hit the base of the Wexford post with a volley and then Kiev Gray picked the ball up twice to provide Treaty with an indirect free inside the Wexford area. That was hit against the Wexford wall but, with two minutes to go, a nothing long ball by Treaty was let bounce by the Wexford defence and, as Kiev Gray advanced, the Treaty forward lobbed her easily to make it 1-1. You couldn’t see any way for Wexford to recover but then in the third minute of injury time, a free by Aoibheann Clancy from about 35 yards out was let bounce by the Treaty defence and it eventually nestled in the top corner of the Treaty net to enable Wexford to scoop the three points and remain in the title race particularly after the result in Tolka Park this afternoon. Best for Wexford were Rossi and Aoibheann Clancy but praise needs to go to Treaty who put in a magnificent effort on the day and were a credit to their manager. 2-1 to Wexford at full-time.