WYW v Peamount (League)

[ForzaForth]

Really good game in a freezing Ferrycarrig tonight as Peamount triumphed by the odd goal in a seven-goal thriller, with both sides creating bags of chances. Gary Hunt started with Sophie, Nicola, Jess, Lolly, Chelsee, Linda Emma, Kylie, Amy and with Aoibhin and Claire up front. WYW started the brighter and created a good opening on five minutes when Claire had a shot blocked by a Peamount defender and Aoibhin hit the rebound over. Three minutes later, Emma Hansberry had a 30 yard free-kick which went a foot or two over the bar. First Peamount chance came on twelve minutes, but the excellent Amber Barrett could only shoot straight at Sophie Lenehan in the Wexford goal. Slightly against the run of play, the Peas went ahead on 16 minutes when WYW didn't pick up well at a corner, and the ball was knocked into the six yard box where Barrett was able to smack it home for 1-0 to Peamount. However, WYW were able to equalise within four minutes when Claire O'Riordan set up Aoibhin Webb who finished well past McAloon in the Peamount goal for 1-1. The same Wexford duo were to combine again five minutes later when Claire's shot could only be pushed away by McAloon to leave Aoibhin Webb with a simple finish for 2-1 to Wexford. Peamount went straight up the pitch and a deflected shot nearly sneaked past Sophie Lenehan, but she was able to grab it just before it bounced over the goal-line. Within another minute, Wexford's Amy Walsh (looking so much better in a more advanced position) had a run and a brilliant finish from the left wing, but it was ruled out by a linesman's flag. However, Peamount were to equalise on 28 minutes, when Amber Barrett picked up the ball just outside the Wexford penalty area, and curled a lovely effort past Lenehan for 2-2. Further chances were then to fall to Claire O'Riordan and Linda Douglas for Wexford and Amber Barrett for Peamount, but none was converted to leave the game at 2-2 at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Second period was a little tighter than the first, but both sides were still anxious to go forward at every opportunity. However, two minutes into the second half, Peamount went 3-2 ahead when a far post cross found a big gap in the Wexford defence, and the cross was slotted home comfortably past Lenehan for 3-2 to the away side. Chances then fell to Aoibhin Webb and Amber Barrett before, on 83 minutes, dead-ball specialist Emma Hansberry hit a 25 yard free kick into the top right-hand corner for 3-3. It looked like a draw at that stage but, right on the 90 minutes, Barrett was sent free down the right wing, and her low cross was struck home at the far post by a Peamount attacker for 4-3 to Peamount. Despite applying pressure in the five minutes of injury-time, Wexford couldn't find another equaliser and Peamount ended up with a fine win at 4-3 in a match which could have gone either way. Late subs for Wexford were Aisling Frawley and Sinead Gaynor.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford were Aoibhin Webb who used the ball well in a No. 10 role, and Amy Walsh who was back to her best at wide left while Lolly Conlon put in tackle after tackle at the back and just needs to sort out her distribution on occasions. In midfield, Kylie Murphy and Emma Hansberry also put in fine shifts. For Peamount, Amber Barrett again looks the most natural goal-scorer in the WNL. Maybe, 50 at the game on a very cold night.