Another loss against Shels
Women now 15 points adrift
SHELBOURNE 2
WEXFORD YOUTHS 1
WEXFORD YOUTHS slumped to another defeat, this time against Shelbourne, as their SO Hotels Women’s National League campaign got even more disappointing in Tolka Park on Sunday.
This was Tom Elmes’ side’s fifth defeat in 19 league games, having lost just once on their way to the title last season. They are now a whopping 15 points behind leaders Peamount and 13 away from second-placed Shelbourne.
Currently, the biggest problems is obvious as, after having the best defensive record in the league last season, they now haven’t kept a clean sheet since June, going a woeful 13 competitive games in all competitions without one. Coincidentlaly, that was Sophie Lenehan’s last game for the club.
They led at the interval in this one thanks to Lauren Kelly’s goal, but there can be no real belief that Wexford are capable of keeping teams out of their net, having leaked goals repeatedly since the middle of the season.
After good recent form at the other end, Wexford went at a Shelbourne side still praying for a Peamount slip in the league title race.
However, they had to survive an early chance for Emily Whelan that Ciamh Dollard repelled.
Wexford took the lead at the end of the opening quarter when Lauren Kelly dispossessed Jess Gargan and chipped Rachel Kelly from 25 yards.
Rianna Jarrett headed a Kelly left-wing cross wide before the Irish striker beat everyone but ran out of angle and was unable to force the ball home.
As Youths kept pressing, Jarrett was provider for Kelly just after the half-hour mark. The Kildare native saw her effort blocked and Kylie Murphy couldn’t force the rebound past the Shelbourne ‘keeper from close range.
Jarrett went close when hitting the side-netting just before the break. Having dominated the first period, Wexford didn’t have it as easy after the resumption.
Emily Whelan turned in the equaliser after Dollard could only parry Rebecca Cooke’s shot.
Jarrett’s deep cross made its way to Lauren Kelly at the back post midway though the half, but Rachel Kelly made a superb stop on her line.
The hosts’ stopper repelled a Jarrett shot soon after, but Jamie Finn headed in the winner in the 82nd minute as Youths lost again.
Wexford still have two games remaining in their league slate. Kilkenny visit Ferrycarrig Park for the last home game of the season on Saturday, while the postponed game against Cork needs to be squeezed in.
The appetite for that game might be limited after last Wednesday’s tie was called off three hours before kick-off, despite the pitch being far from unplayable, plus any attempt to play it before the November 3 cup final against Peamount would clearly hamper Wexford preparations.
Wexford Youths: Ciamh Dollard; Lynn Craven, Nicola Sinnott, Orlaith Conlon, Ciara Rossiter; Edel Kennedy, McKenna Davidson, Aisling Frawley, Kylie Murphy, Lauren Kelly, Rianna Jarrett. Subs. - Lauren Dwyer for Frawley, Becky Cassin for Rossiter, Aoife Slattery for Davidson, also Maeve Williams, Vanessa Ogbonna, Fiona Ryan.
Shelbourne: Rachel Kelly; Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Alex Kavanagh, Jamie Finn, Jessica Ziu, Alannah McEvoy, Noelle Murray, Emily Whelan, Rebecca Cooke, Chloe Mustaki. Subs. - Courtney Maguire, Rachel Graham, Kate Mooney, Jennifer McDade, Isibeal Atkinson, Mia Dodd, Roma McLoughlin.
Referee: Paula Brady (Dublin).