League Report: Sligo Rovers 2 - 3 Galway United

Galway United maintained their perfect start to the Women’s Premier Division with a 2-3 win over Sligo Rovers on Saturday evening.

With United coming out on the right side of that five goal thriller it means they have won all three of their league games and sit three points clear at the top of the table.

United took the lead in the 19^th minute through Jenna Slattery. Sligo goalkeeper Amber Hardy attempted to punch a Lynsey McKey corner-kick away, but the ball fell to Isabella Beletic who showed quick thinking to tee the ball up for Slattery at the edge of the box – the Ireland under 19 international thundered a shot at goal and into the back of the net.

It took until the 55^th minute but the home side drew level when Kelly Crompton, while under pressure, fired a long ball from her own half into the path of Emma Doherty. The forward took the ball to the right side of the box and went at goal, her shot beating Jessica Berlin in the Galway goal for the first time this season.

With 20 minutes to go, the visitors got themselves back in front from another dangerous corner-kick. Eve Dossen and Rola Olusola got touches on Lynse McKey’s ball into the box before it fell into the path of Jamie Erickson who had two cracks at it in a crowded goalmouth before managing to squeeze the ball over the line.

The Bit O’Red drew level with just under ten minutes to go when Emma Doherty was unleashed down the right wing once again, this time the forward took the ball to the endline while under pressure from Galway’s Eve Dossen, she drilled a ball low and to the back post where Jodie Loughrey managed to fire the ball into the goal to draw the side level once again.

It wouldn’t stay that way for long though as there was another twist in this fixture to come.

Slattery played a clever header into Julie Ann Russell’s path in the 88^th minute – the Ireland international duly putting the ball past Hardy – but referee Glen Geraghty blew his whistle to pull the play back for a penalty after Keeva Flynn bowled Slattery over in the box just as she got the ball away.

Slattery recovered to take the penalty and struck the ball low and hard into the bottom left corner for her fifth goal of the season.

Sligo Rovers WFC: Amber Hardy; Keeva Flynn, Kelsey Munroe (Sarah Kiernan 46), Amy Roddy (Eimear Lafferty 71); Kelly Crompton (Alice Lillie 78), Muireann Devaney, Emma Hansberry (Zoe McGlynn 56), Jodie Loughrey, Keri Loughrey, Paula McGrory (Jessica Casey 78); Emma Doherty.

Subs not used: Bonnie McKiernan, Cara King, Kate Nugent, Katie Melly.

Booked: Keri Loughrey (51), Sarah Kiernan (56), Keeva Flynn (75), Paula McGrory (77).

Galway United Women: Jessica Berlin; Aoibheann Costello, Eve Dossen (Emma Duffy 85), Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey; Isabella Beletic, Emily Kavanaugh (Julie-Ann Russell 61), Lynsey McKey, Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson; Rola Olusola (Lucy-Jayne Grant 90).

Subs not used: Maria O'Sullivan, Amy Madden, Roisin Jacob, Heather Loomes, Jodie Griffin, Abbie Callanan.

Booked: Eve Dossen (77).

Referee: Glen Geraghty.

Attendance: 350

Opinion: How the mainstream media is subtly undermining women’s football and, in turn, hurting its growth. https://t.co/lfnKHI2j1Xpic.twitter.com/xx5Wm0lBwO

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