WYW v Sligo

[ForzaForth]

Enjoyable game which proved to be closer than expected after a good start by Wexford as Sligo got a spectacular equaliser through Sarah Kiernan early in the second half. Wexford started with an unchanged XI from the Galway game with Maeve, Lolly, Nicola, Meabh, Abbie, Kylie, Michaela, Aoibheann, Rossi and with Emily and Rianna up front. Played on a good zippy surface which encouraged a passing game, it was all Wexford from the start as Michaela Lawrence and Ciara Rossiter both had close efforts on goal early on and then Abbie Brophy hit the Sligo crossbar from close in. The only real threat from Sligo was coming from the very lively Casey Howe who forced a corner for Sligo on twelve minutes. The lead Wexford goal, which was deserved, came on 21 minutes when Michaela Lawrence volleyed home from inside the Sligo penalty area for 1-0 to Wexford. Sligo’s Casey Howe then had a shot a yard over the Wexford bar but soon afterwards was forced to retire through injury. Wexford continued to dominate with Rianna Jarrett lifting a shot over the Sligo crossbar and Emily Corbet hitting the side netting just before the break. 1-0 to Wexford at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Second half was only six minutes old when Sligo’s Sarah Kiernan had a lofted shot from 40 yards out which gave Maeve Williams no chance and it was, surprisingly, 1-1 given the balance of the play. After Ciara Rossiter couldn’t convert a one-on-one on Amy Mahon, the Sligo keeper, Wexford had a couple of efforts which didn’t threaten Mahon. The Wexford defence then had to keep the home side in the game as Lolly Conlon made a strong tackle inside the Wexford area to stop a potent Sligo attack and Maeve Williams did well to push a goal-bound Sligo shot over her own crossbar. With 18 minutes to go, Wexford regained the lead when Abbie Brophy provided a good cross from the right to enable Rianna Jarrett to head home for 2-1. A few minutes later, it was 3-1 when Ciara Rossiter crossed low from the left to enable Emily Corbet to stab the ball home from close in. Subs for Wexford as the game entered the final quarter included Ceola Bergin, Louise Corrigan, Freya DeMange and Shauna Carroll. 3-1 to Wexford at the end with really good performances by the Wexford goalscorers together with Abbie Brophy, Nicola Sinnott and Ciara Rossiter. For Sligo, Amy Mahon looked secure in the Sligo goal, while Emma Hansberry and, before she went off, Casey Howe also impressed. 3-1 to Wexford at full-time.