Wexford gave themselves a massive lifeline to maintain their interest in the league with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Shelbourne in a very competitive game in Ferrycarrig this evening. A few changes were made to the Wexford starting XI with a welcome return for Lauren Dwyer. Wexford began with Maeve, Louise, Lolly, Lauren, Kylie, Abbie, Orlaith, Nicola, Aoibheann, Rianna and Freya. It was a good sign that Wexford were out of the blocks quickly and Abbie Brophy had a chance early on when running in from the right but she pulled her effort wide of the Shelboune goal. On seven minutes, Wexford got the crucial goal when Freya DeMange put a ball over the top for Rianna Jarrett and Rianna’s volley beat Courtney Maguire in the Shelbourne goal for 1-0 to the home side. The rest of the first half was pretty even with Shelbourne having two frees close in but both were caught safely by Maeve Williams in the Wexford goal. Nearest Shels came to scoring was from a corner where the ball bobbled around the Wexford six yard box until Maeve Williams was able to drop on it. Just after the half-hour mark, Jessie Stapleton of Shels went off shortly after being treated for a head injury so hopefully she’s ok. With Megan Smyth-Lynch having a volley over the Wexford bar and a Keeva Keenan shot deflected for a Shels corner, it was Shelbourne who finished the half on the up. 1-0 to Wexford at half-time.
Wexford seemed to drop back in the second half and invited Shels to apply pressure. However, despite the Shels pressure including from long throws, the Wexford defence held firm with Lolly Conlon and Louise Corrigan having outstanding games at the back for Wexford. In fact, the best chance of a goal in the second period fell to Wexford when Freya DeMange had the chance of a volley from close in, but she didn’t catch it completely right and the shot dribbled just wide of Shels right-hand post. Megan Smyth-Lynch did prod a shot just wide of the Wexford goal but that was the nearest Shels came to an equaliser. Subs for Wexford as the half progressed were Michaela Lawrence who also impressed, Meabh Russell and Shauna Carroll. 1-0 to Wexford at full-time and Wexford now need to go on an extended run of securing three points in each game.
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