Slow start sees Wexford Youths bow out of Champions League following defeat to Thor/KA

Wexford Youths' Champions League campaign came to a premature end as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Icelandic champions Thor/KA at Seaview this evening.

Youths were three down within 20 minutes as Sandra Jessen, Hulda Bjorg Hannesdottir and Helena Jonsdottier ruthlessly punished their slow start.

The Women's National League champions created a succession of chances in response but couldn't find the net to gain a foothold in the contest.

Wexford came into the game buoyant following a strong showing against Ajax in round one, where they took the lead through Rianna Jarrett before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat.

They trailed after just five minutes when captain Jessen finished off a passing move from the right, before Hannesdottir doubled the tally with a header from a corner.

Jonsdottir compounded Youths' misery in the 18th minute as she applied the finishing touch to a cross from Mexican international Stephanie Mayor.

Jarrett manufactured a one-on-one soon after but saw her shot saved by Stephanie Bukovec, before Aisling Frawley saw her shot just clear the bar.

Jarrett and skipper Kylie Murphy both saw efforts miss the target before Bukovec once again denied Jarrett in a one-on-one situation.

Emma Hansberry and substitute McKenna Davidson were denied by the faultless Bukovec late on as Youths fell to a second straight defeat.

Ajax defeated Linfield 2-0 in the early game, setting up a straight shootout between the top two for a place in the knockout stages on Monday.