WYW v Athlone

[ForzaForth]

After a close first half, Wexford cut loose in the second to record a comprehensive win in Ferrycarrig this evening. Wexford started with Kiev, Della, Nicola, Lynn, Lolly, Edel, Aoibheann, Ciara, Teegan, Ellen and Kylie. The first five minutes were undistinguished until Athlone won a corner. The corner was partially cleared by the Wexford defence but Athlone’s Haran drilled her shot to the roof of the Wexford net to put the away side a goal ahead. Wexford had their first decent chance on 12 minutes when Teegan Lynch was found facing her opposing full-back, and Teegan stood her up with a decent move before drilling a shot inside Athlone's far post for 1-1. Teegan then nearly scored again immediately afterwards when Ellen Molloy put her clear but Ronayne in the Athlone goal was able to get a hand to the attempted chip. Wexford then had a good spell but couldn’t break down a resolute Athlone defence with Ciara Rossiter coming nearest for Wexford when she headed over the advancing Ronayne but just wide of the Athlone post. 1-1 at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford’s attacking threat paid dividends, however, in the second half as they notched goal after goal. It started on seven minutes when Ellen Molloy of Wexford won a corner with a deflected shot. From that corner, Wexford won two successive headers with Teegan Lynch looping a header over Ronayne to give Wexford the lead at 2-1. Two minutes later, Ellen Molloy found space opening up in front of her about 25 yards out and the ball on her left foot. You knew instinctively that it was going to end top left corner with the keeper looking at it. Ellen didn’t disappoint and it was 3-1. Ellen also scored a lovely fourth for Wexford with a delicate dink over the advancing Athlone keeper from a player who is obviously so confident in her football skill. 4-1 to Wexford. Wexford then brought on substitutes Kira Bates Crosbie, Sinead Taylor and Fiona Ryan and arguably these replacements didn’t weaken the home team at all. Sinead Taylor was first to notch a goal with her trade-mark near-post run for 5-1. Kira Bates Crosbie soon followed with an impressive left-footed chip from wide right after the Athlone sub keeper got stranded outside the area for 6-1 to Wexford. Kira then got her second when she finished off a great move down the left wing by Fiona Ryan for 7-1 to Wexford with Freya De Mange and Emma Walker also coming on for the home side. Wexford now go second in the table on goal difference to split the two Dublin teams of Peamount and Shelburne. Athlone are far better than the final scoreline suggests and, in addition to Muireann Devaney, had decent performances from Fiona Owens, Jessica Hennessy and particularly Roisin Molloy. 7-1 to Wexford at full-time.

[kksaints]

Wexford were really good in the second half this evening. Certainly wouldn't have thought that would be the final score at halftime. The third and fourth goals from Ellen Molloy were top quality.