Rovers work hard but lose away
SSE Airtricity WNL Series Seven Wexford Youths WFC Sligo Rovers women’s U-16 team, but she had to be on top form as she put in one of her finest performances to date.
It wasn’t just the Rovers goalkeeper
2
who stood out as the back four of Leah
0 Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd and Amy Hyndman each had some impressive individual moments scattered throughout the game.
The visitors’ defence had their work cut out to quell the Wexford attack who looked at their most dangerous out wide with Becky Watkins and Ciara Rossiter in inspired form.
The opening exchanges were spent almost exclusively in Rovers half, but the well-organised defence were able to deny Wexford from making any killer passes.
A rare opportunity came the visitors’ way on 20 minutes when an Emma Hansberry corner prompted two headers from Aoife Brennan and Lauren Boles before the ball fell to Ruth Monaghan whose effort was well off target.
Wexford opened the scoring seven minutes before half-time when a
A BATTLING Sligo Rovers came undone in a 2-0 defeat away to an experienced Wexford Youths last Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League.
Goals from Becky Watkins and Ciara Rossiter ensured a result for the hosts which they were made to work hard for by an often resilient Bit O’Red side at Ferrycarrig Park.
Rovers manager Steve Feeney made three changes from the previous week’s 3-1 home win over Treaty United, with Kristen Sample, Amy Hyndman and Emma Hansberry coming in for Amy Mahon, Sarah Kiernan and Amy Roddy.
Sample had been unavailable for the Treaty fixture due to coaching commitments with the Republic of Ireland
Kristen Sample. The netminder put in a fine performance. The American’s experience shone throughout as she made some of her best saves of the season to date.
The home side’s second goal. Wexford Youths opening the scoring did little to change the flow of proceedings. Rovers remained competitive until Wexford struck a second insurance goal after 80 minutes.
superb pass from Aoibheann Clancy allowed Becky Watkins to produce a moment of brilliance – she held off Amy Hyndman before some excellent close control opened up enough space to send a composed finish into the bottom right corner.
To their credit, that goal did little to deter Rovers, who responded well and continued to battle for their rare forays deep into opposition territory. Rovers made some half-hearted calls for a penalty in the 51st minute when Gemma McGuinness went to ground competing with Orlaith Conlon, who did appear to win the ball first. McGuinness and Katie Melly looked to be the keys to unlocking Wexford’s defence who were well organised as they successfully isolated striker Emma Doherty.
At the other end of the pitch the Rovers defenders didn’t lose sight of their duties, with a crucial Ruth Monaghan tackle denying a certain Ciara Rossiter goal. This determined challenge exemplified Rovers’ efforts. However, Wexford doubled their lead with 10 minutes to go. A rare Monaghan mistake allowed the ball to break to Kylie Murphy for a quick through ball to Ellen Molloy, who forced a brilliant save from Kristen Sample – but Ciara Rossiter was quickest to the follow-up from close-range. Next up for Rovers is a trip to Athlone Town this Saturday (7pm start).
Scanlon
STANDINGS
1. Peamount Utd
2. Shelbourne
3. Wexford Youths
4. DLR Waves
5. Athlone Town
6. Galway WFC
7. Sligo Rovers
8. Cork City
9. Bohemians
10. Treaty United
P 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Kristen Sample
W 6 6 5 3 3 3 3 2 1 0
D 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 2 0
L 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 4 7
F 26 15 15 12 9 10 9 9 5
A 8
1 9 5 8 10 11 26 11 24
Diff +18 +14 +6 +7 +1 0 -2 -17 -6 -21 0