Wexford FC Women v Cork

[ForzaForth]

After a cagey first half by both sides, a much improved effort by Wexford in the second saw them secure the three points on offer against Cork in a damp Ferrycarrig this evening. Wexford started with Jayne, Abby, Lolly, Della, Ellen, Ceola, Rossi, Meabh, Aoibheann, Teegan and Aine. There wasn’t a huge amount of goalmouth action in the first half although what goal threat existed did come from the home side. Both centre forwards, Colleen Kennedy for Cork and Ceola Bergin for Wexford, were largely isolated and only breaks from midfield resulted in goal-scoring chances. On nine minutes, Wexford’s Ceola Bergin had an effort a yard wide of the Cork goal and, nine minutes later, Ellen Molloy almost created a one-on-one chance with Fitzgerald in the Cork goal but was fouled on the way through. Aoibheann Clancy hit the free which resulted against the Cork post. On 23 minutes, Ceola Bergin had a good turn and shot inside the Cork area but Fitzgerald managed a smart save. A Wexford corner on 29 minutes was returned into the Cork area after being partially cleared and Ellen Molloy headed home but the goal was ruled out for offside. Colleen Kennedy also had one decent run for Cork but the offside flag went up again. The half ended 0-0 with the first goal in the second half looking crucial.

[ForzaForth]

Whatever was said by Wexford manager, Hugh Strong, in the dressing-room at halftime, it had the desired effect and Wexford started like a train at the beginning of the second period. It began in the first minute with a decent effort on goal by Aine Walsh and then the gaining by Wexford of a number of corners. From one of these corners in the seventh minute, a close-in header by Wexford defender, Della Doherty, put the home side deservedly a goal ahead. A minute later, it was 2-0 when a good Wexford move saw Fitzgerald only parry an effort on goal by Ceola Bergin, and Ciara Rossiter was on hand to bury the rebound for 2-0 to Wexford. It was comfortable enough for Wexford from then on with the conductor of the Wexford orchestra, Ellen Molloy, having an outstanding game for the home side. After an earlier effort on goal, Ellen went closest on nineteen minutes when her shot hit the inside of the Cork post but stayed out. Alongside Ellen in midfield, Wexford had two further excellent midfielders in Aoibheann Clancy and Teegan Lynch with the latter, in particular, almost unrecognisable from the player she was during her previous stint at the club. Subs for Wexford as the half progressed were Leah McGrath, Nicola Sinnott, Rianna Jarrett and Grace Fitzpatrick as Wexford travelled comfortably to the end of the game and finished with a 2-0 scoreline.