Rovers take a draw from Treaty test THEGAME
SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Treaty United 0 Sligo Rovers 0
THE Sligo Rovers senior women’s bounced back from back-to-back defeats by recording a 0-0 draw away to Treaty United in an SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division fixture played at Markets Field last Saturday.
After an uneventful first-half in which there was little to separate the sides, Rovers will be wondering how they left Markets Field without all three points having carved out several opportunities to find the back of the net.
Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt initially made three changes from the side which lost 3-2 to Galway United, with Eimear Lafferty, Sarah Kiernan and Zoe McGlynn coming in for Amy Roddy, Jodie Loughrey and Keeva Flynn.
Hewitt, however, was forced to bring Flynn back into the side after Kelly Crompton pulled up in the pre-match warm-up with an injury.
Rovers quickly
BEST FOR ROVERS: Eimear Lafferty. The defender impressed in her first start of the season. Lafferty’s arrival last summer was a massive boost and it is already clear how much of an asset she’ll be again when fully fit and being a regular starter. TURNING POINT: A timely substitution. While it didn’t turn the game in Rovers’ favour in terms of the scoreline, the introduction of Republic of Ireland women’s U-19 international Jodie Loughrey helped the visitors sustain their second-half momentum. Treaty struggled to deal with the winger who linked up very well with her younger sister, Keri.
had to learn to adapt to a new, enforced shape but to her credit, Flynn was one of the standout Rovers players despite having not expected to be playing a full game until minutes before kick-off. Treaty did their best to unnerve goalkeeper Amber Hardy early on by lofting threatening crosses and long balls into the box, but the young netminder was a reassuring presence for her side and easily dealt with these hopeful deliveries. At the other end of the pitch, Rovers targeted Treaty’s right side with Emma Doherty and Keri Loughrey looking to do damage, but they met formidable opposition in the shape of right-back Lauren McInerney and centre-back Kayla Kyle who were excellent for the hosts.
While that particular duo stood out, it was clear however that Treaty goalkeeper Anne-Marie Ulliac lacked the same composure, taking risks by keeping the ball at her feet longer than necessary, but Rovers were unable to take advantage of this.
While the first-half was without incident, the second-half was a more action-packed affair dominated by the visitors. Rovers created their first chance seven minutes after the break when striker Emma Doherty had space to turn on the edge of the box for a snapshot which drifted wide of the target.
Minutes later Paula McGrory was unlucky not to open the scoring, seeing an excellent closerange shot turned over the bar by Anne-Marie Ulliac.
McGrory then had Rovers best chance of the game when a Keri Loughrey cross from the left was headed back across goal by Emma Doherty for her fellow forward who could not connect with the ball with the goal at her mercy.
The introduction of Jodie Loughrey added an impressive new dimension to Rovers attack which really allowed them to take a firm hold of momentum in the game. She was unlucky not to break the deadlock when she got on the end of a corner but saw both a header and a low, driven shot cleared off the line.
Tubbercurry teenager Cara King was introduced for the last 15 minutes and would have a noteable role in the final minutes of the fixture.
King appeared to have given Rovers the lead within three minutes of coming on as she finished off a wonderful
ROVERS are on the road again this week – this time in the Avenir Sports AllIsland Cup as they head to the midlands for Saturday’s Group ‘D’ encounter with their SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division rivals Athlone Town.
The Bit O’Red were beaten 2-0 at home by holders Galway United in the competition’s first round, while Athlone – last season’s Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup winners – won 5-2 away to Belfast’s Glentoran. Athlone, who include
The number of clean sheets from Rovers in their opening three games of the season.
attacking move fuelled by the Loughrey sisters, but King’s joy was short-lived as she emerged the wrong side of a very tight offside call.
St Attracta’s Community School student King then found herself in an identical position five minutes later as Emma Doherty lofted an excellent ball towards the left-hand post, but she could not provide the finish under pressure from the Treaty defence.
Best For Rovers: Eimear Lafferty Sligo Rovers: Amber Hardy, Keri Loughrey, Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Eimear Lafferty, Sarah Kiernan (Jodie Loughrey 56), Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Zoe McGlynn, Paula McGrory (Cara King 77), Emma Doherty
Subs not used: Bonnie McKiernan (gk), Amy Roddy, Kate Nugent, Alice Lillie, Ciara Henry, Lauren Devaney
Gurteen’s Roisin Molloy and ex-Rovers star Casey Howe, are second in the Women’s Premier Division standings with just one loss in four games (two wins, one draw and one defeat). Their most recent game was last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat of champions Peamount United, a game televised by TG4. The aforementioned Casey Howe netted twice and also saw a spot-kick effort come off the upright.
Saturday’s game takes place in Athlone Town Stadium, with a 7.30pm start.
Anne-Marie Ulliac, Lauren McInerney, Kayla Kyle, Erin Van Dolder (Kate O’Donovan h-t), Talia White, Delana Friesen, Jillian O’Toole, Leah Martin, Katie Lawlee, Cara Griffin, Hanna Saidi (Fiana Bradley 80)
Subs not used: Katie Irwin (gk), Esra Kangal, Grace Gleeson
Referee: Thomas Joyce
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
P D F Diff 4 0 14 +12 4 1 5 +1 4 3 3 +2 4 0 4 -1 3 2 4 +2 4 4 4 0 4 1 2 -6 4 0 2 -4 3 2 2 -1 3 2 2 -2 3 1 1 -3