WNL Cup Report: UCD Waves 1-1 Wexford Youths

Wexford Youths earned a draw in the Women’s National League Cup after they battled back from a goal down against UCD Waves at Jackson Park on Sunday afternoon.

In a game that was played in horrific weather conditions, the Waves were gifted a dream start inside the opening minute when a cross from Julie-Ann Russell wasn’t cleared properly. The ball fell to Niamh Prior who finished from close range.

With the elements to their advantage in the opening half, UCD continued to press forward and Youths 'keeper Tamara Furlong will feel she got let off the hook after the shot-stopper failed to gather an Áine O’Gorman cross at the first time of asking.

Despite the visitors opportunities on goal being limited in the opening period, Emma Hansberry continued to show her ability on the ball, forcing Jetta Berrill into a front post clearance from a dangerous low cross.

With 25 minutes on the clock, O’Gorman should have doubled her side’s lead when she raced onto a ball over the top from Russell, but her effort forced a good stop from Furlong.

Moments after O’Gorman’s effort, Hansberry produced another quality cross from the right wing, but Rianna Jarrett failed to reach the dangerous delivery.

With dead ball efforts continuing to be Youths best opportunity to find an equalising goal, Ciara Rossiter was next to try her luck from long range. But her delivery went the wrong side of Monica McGuirk’s goal.

As half-time fast approached O’Gorman had a free-kick of her own from 30 yards and the Ireland international was disappointed to see her effort cannon off the visitor's crossbar.

When the sides emerged from the break, it was the away team who had the half’s first chance when Jarrett latched onto a loose throw out from McGuirk. However, she failed to get an effort on goal after the Waves defence recovered quickly to eliminate the opportunity.

Despite the elements being against them during the second-half, UCD continued to play positive football and Russell forced a save from Furlong after some neat interchange from Caroline Thorpe and Prior.

Minutes later, the Waves had another great opportunity from an O’Gorman corner, however, Emily Cahill failed to find the target with her headed effort.

With chances continuing to be limited, Kylie Murphy will feel she should have hit the target after some good play from Jarrett, but the Youths skippers effort sailed over the crossbar.

Youths continued to show the fighting character which won them their first league crown in 2015 and Claire O’Riordan was next to try her luck at goal after a scramble in the Waves box, the ball fell to the Limerick native. But her effort was straight at the keeper.

As the visitors continued to look for a way back into the game, Hansberry was again key to her side’s opportunities when her corner from the left caused panic in the Waves defence, however, Murphy failed just failed to connect to the delivery at the back post.

With the game still in the balance at 1-0, O’Gorman will be disappointed she failed to hit the target after shooting from the edge of the box after latching onto a quick throw in.

Despite all UCD great defending, Wexford forced an equaliser with seven minutes remaining when Jarrett headed home with a powerful header from a wicked cross from Rossiter.

As injury time fast approached, Hansberry almost secured all the win for her side when her free-kick from the left side forced a fantastic save from McGuirk.

UCD Waves: Monica McGuirk; Jetta Berrill, Ali Brien, Emily Cahill, Chloe Mustaki; Julie-Ann Russell, Karen Duggan, Caroline Thorpe (Eleanor Ryan-Doyle 84), Orlaigh Nolan, Niamh Prior; Aine O’Gorman

Subs Not Used: Susan Hackett, Sarah Clune, Catherine Cronin

Booked: Ali Brien (88)

Wexford Youths: Tamara Furlong; Jessica Gleeson, Nicola Sinnott, Ruth Fahy, Edel Kennedy (Becky Cassin 78); Ciara Rossiter, Kylie Murphy, Emma Hansberry, Aisling Frawley (Linda Douglas 58); Rianna Jarrett, Claire O’Riordan

Subs Not Used: Orlaith Conlon, Megan Whitty, Shauna Wall, Aoibheann Webb, Rachel Hutchinson

Booked: Ruth Fahy (41), Edel Kennedy (62), Ciara Rossiter (66)

Extratime Player of the Match: Niamh Prior (UCD Waves)

Attendance: 100 (estimate)

You can see Peter Fitzpatrick's selection of photos from the game by clicking here.