WNL Report: UCD Waves 3 - 0 Galway WFC

UCD Waves moved to within two points of the top of the Women’s National League thanks to a 3-0 victory in a re-arranged fixture against Galway WFC at Jackson Park.

A first-half goal from Aine O’Gorman along with second-half strikes from Caroline Thorpe and Niamh Prior saw the Waves run out comfortable winners in the first of two league meetings between the sides in four days.

In a game where both sides knew the importance of victory it was the visitors with the game's first chance. A mishit corner from Lynsey McKey fell to Jess Nolan, who played a low pass back to McKey, whose shot-come-cross was easily gathered by Monica McGuirk in the UCD goal.

As the Waves gradually began to find their footing in the game, Orlaigh Nolan had their first opportunity on goal, but her long range effort was easily gathered by Tina Hughes in the Galway goal.

O’Gorman had another opportunity after some good play from Eleanor Ryan Doyle, however, the forward's curling effort sailed wide.

With little over quarter of an hour played, UCD will feel they should have taken the lead when Ryan Doyle forced a brilliant stop from Hughes before O’Gorman’s rebound was cleared off the line by the Galway defence.

Two minutes later, Waves broke the deadlock as a cross from the right was not held by Hughes and O’Gorman nipped in to tap home from close range for her 12^th league goal.

Galway, who headed into Wednesday's game on a run of four consecutive league victories, looked for a way back into the game but McKey could only fire wide with her free-kick from 25 yards.

With the Waves continuing to look dominant going forward, Ryan Doyle was the next player to try her luck after she controlled a long range free-kick before her curling effort went the wrong side of the visiting goal.

Minutes later, Orlaigh Nolan would again try her luck from distance this time her effort forced a great save from Hughes with the keeper done very well to hold possession.

As first-half injury time fast approached, Galway had a great chance to equalise when McGuirk was forced to make a brilliant save from a McKey shot.

In a nervy opening to the second-half where both sides knew one mistake could be crucial, it was UCD who had the half's first effort.

O’Gorman skipped past Keara Cormican down the left flank before she found Julie Ann Russell at the far post, but her headed effort was excellently saved by Hughes, who continued to be her side’s best player.

With the visitors chances in the second period being limited McGuirk ensured she wasn’t to be beaten from a dangerous free-kick from McKey. The keeper easily gathering possession in the air at the back post.

As UCD continued to press for a second goal that would seal victory, Caroline Thorpe will feel she should have done better after firing wide an O’Gorman cross at the back post.

However, two minutes later the Ireland international made no mistake with her next opportunity. A Lovely cross from Russell was well controlled by Ryan Doyle, who found the midfielder in the penalty area and her looping effort sailed over the head Hughes in the Galway goal.

UCD grabbed a third with just eight minutes remaining. A great run from Prior down the left wing and the midfielder's shot forced a good save from Hughes, however Waves recycled possession through Russell whose cross found Prior and she headed home from close range.

Galway should have pulled a consolation goal back in additional time when Jess Nolan latched onto a Alana Moran cross, but she failed to direct her headed effort towards goal.

UCD Waves: Monica McGuirk; Jetta Berrill (Amy McLoughlin 87), Susan Hackett, Emily Cahill; Niamh Prior, Julie Ann Russell, Karen Duggan, Orlaigh Nolan, Caroline Thorpe; Eleanor Ryan Doyle (Catherine Cronin 86), Aine O’Gorman.

Subs Not Used: Ali Brien, Ruth Comerford, Susan Byrne, Ciara Grant, Sarah Clune.

Booked: None.

Galway WFC: Tina Hughes; Aoife Walshe, Shauna Fox, Keara Cormican, Chloe Moloney; Aislinn Meaney (Lucy Hannon 54), Meabh De Burca, Lynsey McKey, Sorcha Ni Bhraonain (Lisa Casserly 54), Ellerose O’Flaherty (Alana Moran 82); Jess Nolan.

Subs Not Used: Anesi Igumna, Carol Mannion.

Booked: Fox (68).

Referee: Deirdre Nolan.

Attendance: 65 (Estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Eleanor Ryan Doyle (UCD Waves).