WEXFORDHOCKEY

Saturday saw Wexford seconds travel to Weston Hockey Club in Griffeen Park, Lucan, for their first game of the new year.

Wexford got off to a positive start, playing offensively and working the ball up the pitch on both sides.

The best chance of the opening quarter saw the Weston ‘keeper deny a Wexford attacking play from Cora Raftery, Sarah Jones and Aoife Bolger.

Wexford continued to pressurise the Weston defence in the second quarter and were rewarded for their efforts when the opposition ‘keeper’s attempt to clear her lines found the waiting stick of Ashling Alouf who skilfully side-stepped a defender and the ‘keeper to neatly slot the ball into the Weston goal.

Spurred on by the goal, the visiting side continued to work the ball into the Weston circle and, with moments remaining in the first-half, Aine O’Dwyer’s pass found Fiona McDermott in right mid.

She swiftly brought the ball up the right wing before passing to Cora Raftery who laid the ball off to Ashling Alouf, and she struck the ball beautifully to beat the Weston defence once more – however, the Wexford celebrations were shortlived as the goal was disallowed since the umpire had blown the half-time whistle before the ball had crossed the line. That left the score at 1-0 in Wexford’s favour at the break.

The third quarter saw both sides come out in a determined fashion, and the Wexford defence of Lizzie Walsh in goal, Emer O’Rourke as sweeper, and a back line of Jeannine Dunne, Aine O’Dwyer and Edel Moran worked well as a unit to break down any Weston attacking play.

Wexford secured their second goal when a sideline move from Jeannine Dunne found Maeve Buckley who crossed an inch-perfect ball to Anna Finan on the back post, and she deflected it into the Weston goal.

The Wexford dominance continued for the remainder of the third quarter, and Anna Finan was instrumental in the creation of Wexford’s third goal when her pinpoint pass found an unmarked Rosie O’Brien who struck the ball into the corner of the Weston goal.

Wexford secured their fourth goal through some great passing play from Glenda McKeown, Cora Raftery and Anna Finan whose pivotal pass found Maeve Buckley, and she slotted the ball past the Weston goal-line.

The final quarter saw Weston press the Wexford circle for a score, and the hosts were awarded a short corner which Wexford cleared.

Both sides continued to work hard until the final whistle, with the final score 4-0 in favour of Wexford.

Next weekend Wexford seconds play away to Glennane, while Wexford firsts host Railway thirds on Saturday and Weston firsts on Monday evening, January 13.

Both Wexford Under-16 sides are in action, with the firsts away to Old Alex and the seconds away to Dublin North.