Peamount United 5 - 1 DLR Waves

Last season's champions returned to the summit of the Women's National League with a confident 5-1 win over DLR Waves in Greenogue on Sunday.

Peamount United are now level with Raheny United at the top, with braces from Sara Lawlor and Steph Roche and one goal from Lousie Quinn giving them the win today.

After a cagey opening for Peamount, in which DLR had considerable time on the ball, Stephanie Roche put the hosts 1-0 up on 15 minutes. The top scorer in last season's league finished neatly across goalkeeper Sarah Devlin after being played on in the box by Sara Lawlor.

Peas threatened to push on from there, with Ruth Comerford and Lawlor going close, but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Waves defence. Roche had a clear chance ten minutes after her goal to double her tally, but her header from a deep cross hit the crossbar.

The visitors enjoyed some good spells, with Louise Kearney's high 21^st minute effort the closest they came to equalising. But the champions always looked more likely to score again, and they did so after 33 minutes.

Sara Lawlor's low shot looked relatively harmless from afar, but it carried enough venom to curl around Devlin to send Peas 2-0 up going into the break.

United attempted to cut loose at the start of the second half, with Sara Lawlor and Steph Roche both running free around the DLR box. But once they crossed or tried to cut into the area they were repeatedly frustrated by last-minute clearances.

After knocking on the door for the quarter of an hour of the half, Peas at last put another goal past Sarah Devlin on 63 minutes. Sara Lawlor was involved again- this time her cross was volleyed in by Louise Quinn.

Peamount stayed on top and seemed eager to rack up an even bigger score. They pressed higher up the pitch and with eight minutes left made it 5-0, thanks to a Steph Roche penalty. Jenny Ferrari was brought down, and although Devlin went the right way Roche's penalty was too wide for her to touch.

Michelle Dunne capitalised on Linda Meehan spilling a free-kick with three minutes left to score a simple consolation goal, but it was just that as Peamount ran out comfortable winners.

Peamount United: Linda Meehan; Amy McLoughlin, Emily Cahill, Karen Duggan, Susan Byrne; Ruth Comerford, Julie Ann Russell, Louise Quinn, Solene Barbance; Stephanie Roche, Sara Lawlor.
Subs Not Used: Clare Kinsella, Emma Donohoe, Caroline Healy, Louise Corrigan, Jennifer Ferrari, Jetta Berrill, Monica McGuirk.

DLR Waves: Sarah Devlin; Alison Brien, Sylvia Gee, Eimear O'Herlihy, Louise Kearney; Niamh Connolly, Vicky Reynolds, Avril Kilkelly, Michelle Dunne, Lucia Cordoba; Laura Daniel.
Subs Not Used: Georgina Canavan, Emily Jennings, Caroline McEvoy, Amy Devereaux.

Referee: Tommy Traynor.
Attendance: 50 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Sara Lawlor.