Rovers lose out in the midlands
SSE Airtricity WNL Series Eight Athlone Town Sligo Rovers
S5 0
LIGO Rovers experienced a second consecutive defeat on the road after losing 5-0 to Athlone Town last Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League.
Four goals from Emily Corbett as well as a Kellie Brennan strike secured the points for the Midlands side who continued a fine run of form of late. Rovers boss Steve Feeney made three changes from the team which lost 2-0 at Wexford Youths the previous weekend, with Kerri O’Hara, Sarah Kiernan and Paula McGrory starting in place of Leah Kelly, Amy Hyndman and Aoife Brennan.
In addition to talented players such as Emily Corbett, Laurie Ryan and Gillian Keenan, Athlone’s starting line-up also featured former Rovers academy players Roisin Molloy and Muireann Devaney, who hail from Gurteen and Manorhamilton respectively.
In little over 90 seconds Athlone opened the scoring. They were awarded a penalty after a handball by Sarah Kiernan, who didn’t protest the decision. Emily Corbett stepped up and beat Kristen Sample, who dived the right way, with a powerful drive into the bottom left corner.
While there was seemingly nothing contentious about the penalty, Athlone’s second goal was the subject of controversy just minutes later when a Kelsey Munroe corner was converted at the near post by Kellie
Kerri O’Hara. The St Attracta’s Community School student was impressive in her first start of the season. The teenager was strong defensively throughout and always calm when passing the ball out from the back.
Niamh Coombes’ save. Even at 3-0 down, a comeback did not look beyond the realms of possibility. A 55th minute save by Athlone Town goalkeeper Niamh Coombes to deny Rovers striker Emma Doherty undoubtedly made a huge difference in preventing a potential recovery.
Brennan who appeared to guide the ball over the line with a subtle movement of her hand.
The artificial surface at Lissywollen caused difficulty for Rovers early on as the defence struggled to anticipate the bounce of the ball.
Athlone made this count in the 12 minute when a long ball forward by Jessica Hennessy found Emily Corbett, who again finished with aplomb when one-on-one with Kristen Sample.
Despite these early setbacks, Rovers continued to press in a bid to reduce the margin. Gemma McGuinness, Paula McGrory and Katie Melly were all positive in attack but will have been frustrated that they were not chasing a smaller deficit.
Kerri O’Hara was also making a big impression at right-back. The St Attracta’s Community School student – also well known by her nickname ‘Pixie’ – was not daunted by
SLIGO SMILE: Gurteen’s Roisin Molloy, celebrates with her Athlone Town teammates after another goal for Emily Corbett in last Saturday’s SSE Airtricity Women’s National League fixture against Sligo Rovers.
her first start for Rovers and played with a sense of confidence as she dealt with several Athlone attacks and often looked to drive the play forward herself.
Rovers’ best chance of the opening half came in the form of a free-kick after 31 minutes. Paula McGrory was fouled on the edge of the box, with Emma Doherty stepping forward. Her driven effort was spilled by
Athlone goalkeeper Niamh Coombes, who will have been relieved to see the ball trickle around the outside of the post.
Rovers began the second-half well and were unlucky not to pull an early goal back through Emma Doherty who was denied at point-blank range by a brave
Coombes save.
Athlone responded to that warning by rounding off the goals. Emily Corbett finished off a wonderful setpiece routine to make it 4-0 after 62 minutes to complete her hat-trick. A Gemma McGuinness handball spotted by the referee allowed Corbett the chance to make it 5-0. She again put the ball out of Sample’s reach to complete the rout and bag her fourth of the day.
Next up for the Bit O’Red is the hosting of their Connacht rivals Galway WFC at The Showgrounds this Saturday afternoon (2pm).
Galway, who drew 2-2 with Wexford Youths last Saturday, are currently sixth in the Women’s National League standings, one place above Rovers and two points better off.
Best for Rovers: Kerri O’Hara
Sligo Rovers: Kristen Sample, Kerri O’Hara (Amy Hyndman 75), Ruth Monaghan (Leah Kelly 59), Orna O’Dowd, Sarah Kiernan (Fiona Doherty 75), Lauren Boles, Amy Roddy, Katie Melly (Ciara Henry 59), Paula McGrory, Gemma McGuinness, Emma Doherty (Aoife Brennan 75)
Subs not used: Amy Mahon (gk), Erin Coyle, Lauren McLellan, Helen Monaghan
STANDINGS
1. Peamount Utd
2. Shelbourne
3. Wexford Youths
4. DLR Waves
5. Athlone Town
6. Galway WFC
7. Sligo Rovers
8. Cork City
P 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
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 3
A 8
1 9 5 8 10 11 26 11 24
Diff +18 +14 +6 +7 +1 0 -2 -17 -6 -21 0