Shels see off Peamount for five-point lead
SHELBOURNE opened up a fivepoint gap at the top of the Women’s National League yesterday after a narrow 1-0 win over Peamount United.
It was end-to-end action for much of the contest. Karen Duggan had the first chance of the game for the visitors, but her driving effort went just over on ten minutes. Ireland Under-19 international Erin McLaughlin saw her effort blocked minutes later.
The champions soon settled into the game and went close through Shauna Fox’s close-range shot.
It was the three Jessicas who combined for the match-winner on the half hour mark. Ziu played in Gargan, who cut inside and sent in a terrific, dangerous cross. The ball dropped to teenage star Stapleton who fired Shelbourne into the lead (right).
The home side almost went two up soon after, but Gargan’s header was spectacularly tipped over by Niamh Reid-Burke. Peamount pressed for an equaliser in the second half, with Duggan sending in some terrific crosses. Republic of Ireland star Áine O’Gorman also threatened for the visitors, but they couldn’t find a way through Shels’ determined defence.
In the dying stages Sadhbh Doyle and O’Gorman went close to equalising, and Chloe Mustaki put in a match-winning tackle as the champions held on for a massive result in this year’s title race.
Meanwhile, Galway United left the Showgrounds with all three points after beating Sligo 2-1 in the first meeting between of the two sides.
After starting the game brightly, the hosts took the lead on 15 minutes. Leah Doyle beat two Galway players and played a sublime pass to Emma Doherty, who rounded the goalkeeper and put her side ahead. Going a goal behind seemed to click Galway into gear, and they grew into the game as the first half progressed.
The visitors hit the post twice in the half, and Chloe Singleton and Jenna Slattery went close. Their equaliser came with the last kick of the half as Becky Walsh headed past Kristen Sample from a corner to level matters.
Galway started the second period on top and Sample had to be at her best to prevent her side going behind on 55 minutes. She couldn’t keep out the winner though, as Singleton’s cross found Shauna Brennan at the back post who put Galway into the lead. Sample picked up an injury while trying to save the goal and was replaced by Amy Mahon.
With 20 minutes remaining, Sarah Kiernan turned Singleton’s header into her own net, but it was flagged offside, much to the relief of the Sligo defender. Although Sligo never gave up, Galway limited them to very few chances for an equaliser. They remain in sixth place after the win while Sligo drop to eighth.
Elsewhere, Bohemians were comfortable 4-0 winners away to Treaty United, the visitors’ goals coming from Isobel Finnegan, courtesy of an exquisite lob, two from Sinéad Taylor and Lara Phipps. Cork City were well beaten at home by Athlone Town, going down 4-1 while Wexford saw off DLR Waves 2-0.