WYW v Athlone

[ForzaForth]

As expected, another tough battle in Ferrycarrig this evening, as second faced third in the Wexford-Athlone game. With exams affecting team selection, Wexford were happy to welcome back both Edel Kennedy and Lauren Dwyer as starters and went with Maeve, Meabh, Nicola, Della, Lauren, Lolly, Freya DeM, Rossi, Edel, Kylie and Ellen. With two strong defences on the pitch, chances were hard to come by, particularly in the first half. However, Wexford moved the ball around well and went ahead on twelve minutes when the ball broke to Lolly Conlon at the corner of the penalty area, and her first-time left-footed rocket to the far corner of the Athlone goal gave Coombes absolutely no chance for 1-0 to Wexford. Three minutes later, Athlone were able to get a low shot away towards the Wexford goal, but Maeve Williams got down comfortably to save it. With Lauren Dwyer and Nicola Sinnott marshalling Athlone’s Emily Corbet well, Athlone never really threatened the Wexford goal for the rest of the half but with Wexford not getting very close either to increasing their lead. Nearest Wexford came to getting a second goal was when Freya DeMange had an effort which went close to the Athlone goal. 1-0 to Wexford at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Game opened up at the start of the second half when, after seven minutes, good work by Wexford's Freya DeMange which ended with a curling cross found Ellen Molloy in space inside the Athlone area, and she finished neatly for 2-0. Wexford were looking comfortable at this stage but immediately conceded a goal when Athlone’s Laurie Ryan curled a shot inside Wexford’s far post to make it 2-1. Although Wexford’s Kylie Murphy then flashed a drive just wide of the Athlone post, it was Athlone who pushed hard for the equaliser. Nearest Athlone came to scoring was when an Athlone forward, coming towards the Wexford goal from an angle, squeezed a shot past Maeve Williams but it also drifted just wide of the Wexford post. With Della Doherty beginning to dominate at the back for Wexford, Wexford overcame their unsettled spell following their concession of the goal and eventually saw the game out with a hard-won 2-1 win. Sub for Wexford as the second half progressed was Emma Donohoe. Best for Wexford in a tough game were the defence and Maeve Williams in goal, while the Athlone defence also impressed with Fiona Owens and Jessica Hennessy doing particularly well. 2-1 to Wexford at full-time.