League Report: Galway United 0 - 1 Bohemians

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Bohemians returned to winning ways in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday as they held out for a 1-0 win over Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Sarah Rowe scored the only goal of the game, and her first in a Bohemians jersey, in a tight encounter on the banks of the Corrib.

There was one change either side for this fixture, Phil Trill gave Anna Fahey her first start with Aoife Thompson starting on the bench after their win over Cork City last weekend. This game was Fahey’s first ever start in the Women’s Premier Division with the striker’s career interrupted by a serious knee injury.

For the Gypsies, Erica Burke came back into the starting team after their 2-0 loss to Shelbourne last Saturday while Niamh Prior dropping to the bench.

Galway United were on top in the opening ten minutes of the game with the home side creating a number of half chances as Jenna Slattery struck wide and Jamie Erickson missed out on connecting with a header with the goal at her mercy.

Gemma McGuinness went close from long range in the 14^th minute when she turned inside Ciara Maher after a good pass from Slattery – her shot didn’t quite dip enough to challenge Rachael Kelly and the ball went inches over the bar.

Slattery had an audacious effort in the 15^th minute when she juggled the ball in the box, with the Bohs defence unable to nick the ball off her, the midfielder attempted a bicycle kick but the shot was blocked by a defender.

The home side went close in the 28^th minute after great free kick delivery by Slattery, Erickson got her head to the ball this time but with the defender under serious pressure from the Bohs back line her header bounced just wide.

Rachael Kelly pulled off a big save for the visitors just after the half hour mark when a long ball into the box was knocked down into the path of McGuinness, the midfielder rattled a shot off at close range, but the goalkeeper stood strong to bat the ball behind.

The visitors managed to get in front five minutes before the break, the home side failed to deal with a ball coming across the box both Erickson and Ronayne looked to intervene, the goalkeeper tried to clear but the ball deflected off Sarah Rowe and into the goal.

Kelly came up big again for Bohemians after some excellent play by United on the hour mark with Slattery winning the ball in their own half and passing to Lynsey McKey who played in halftime substitute Jodie Griffin – she slotted a great through ball to McGuinness she was once again denied by the Gypsies goalkeeper.

Slattery was bossing the middle of the park for Galway United, despite the lack of clear chances the midfielder was a real bright spark throughout the game, her set piece deliveries had been causing trouble all game and in the 78^th minute she drew another save from Kelly with a long range free kick.

United were in again on goal with substitute Aoife Thompson one on one with Kelly thanks to a through ball from McKey in the 87^th minute, as the home side searched desperately for an equaliser, but the striker was narrowly offside.

The home side couldn’t find that equaliser and suffered another frustrating home defeat. Phil Trill’s side go on to face Shelbourne next week in Tolka Park while Bohemians are at home to Peamount United.

Galway United Women: Abbiegayle Ronayne; Aoibheann Costello (Amy Madden 83), Eve Dossen, Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey; Isabella Beletic (Jodie Griffin 46), Gemma McGuinness, Lynsey McKey, Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson; Anna Fahey (Aoife Thompson 61).

Subs not used: Siobhan Doolan, Roisin Jacob, Nicole McNamara, Kayla Brady, Abbie Callanan, Jessica Berlin.

Booked: None.

Bohemians WFC: Rachael Kelly; Lynn Craven, Katie Lovely, Ciara Maher (Katie Burdis 68), Lisa Murphy; Kira Bates-Crosbie, Mia Dodd, Fiona Donnelly, Rachel Doyle, Sarah Rowe; Erica Burke.

Subs not used: Meadbh Ryan, Erica Byrne, Abbie O'Hara, Niamh Prior, Lara Phipps, Leah Hughes, Aoife Robinson, Amy Ellis.

Booked: Erica Burke (74).

Referee: Daryl Carolan.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Jenna Slattery (Galway United)

League Report: Cobh Ramblers 0 - 2 Galway United - https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/stzN2ehTvz

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 17, 2023