WYW v DLR Waves (Cup)

[ForzaForth]

Wexford Youths Women progressed to the cup semi-final in Ferrycarrig this evening but, as usual, found DLR Waves a tough nut to crack. Wexford started with Maeve, Lolly, Meabh, Della, Nicola. Edel, Aoibheann, Ellen, Rossi, Kylie and Becky. DLR Waves have one of the best back fives around, and defences are usually on top in these games. The first half was a better reflection of the closeness of the tie. DLR Waves proved to be most likely to score in the first twenty minutes or so as Wexford struggled to create anything. After Wexford’s Ellen Molloy had a free over the DLR crossbar and Maeve Williams got down low to keep out a DLR effort on goal, it was DLR who went ahead when Sarah McKevitt crossed from the right to enable Katie Malone to head home for 1-0 to DLR. In the second half of the first period, however, it was Wexford who applied the pressure and Jess Gleeson for DLR was forced to take a yellow card for a tackle. Wexford managed to force a number of corners during this phase and, from one of these taken by Aoibheann Clancy, Nicola Sinnott managed to find the net with a backwards header for 1-1. Wexford’s Becky Watkins had an effort touched around the DLR post by Eve Badana just before the break and it was 1-1 at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

DLR’s chances in the second half were clobbered by two straight red cards. The first occurred when Mia Dodd raised her foot very high to control the ball and Meabh Russell was made contact with as she closed from behind. Completely unintentional and a yellow would probably have sufficed. Wexford still found it hard to create decent chances with the player advantage but got further help from the referee when Eve Badana rushed outside her area to take down Ellen Molloy who had touched the ball onwards. No complaints regarding the straight red here and DLR were down to nine players. With Rugile Auskalnyte coming on in goal for DLR, it became a question of when Wexford could manage to get the lead. It came eventually through Ellen Molloy with a deft flick which ended up in the top corner of the DLR net for 2-1. Wexford secured a third goal late on when Becky Watkins had an effort on goal which was pushed out to Ciara Rossiter who couldn’t miss the empty net. 3-1 to Wexford at full-time. Late subs for Wexford were Jess Lawler and Freya DeMange. Best for Wexford were Ellen Molloy and Aoibheann Clancy and the industry of Edel Kennedy, who won so much ball for the winners, had to be admired. For DLR, Katie Malone and Sarah McKevitt impressed.