On fire Roche delighted with victory over Raheny

Batman and Robin. Bert and Ernie. Ant and Dec. Tom and Jerry. Some things just go together. Individually they may not always invoke the same reaction, but together it is as if they are fulfilling intrinsic destinies.

Add Roche and Lawlor to that list.

Last Saturday saw Peamount United record a 5-2 win against their biggest rivals to the Bus Éireann Women’s National League – Raheny United. On the night, the Peas’ very own “dynamic duo” each scored twice, but such has been their form of late that few eyebrows will have been raised.

Indeed with four games gone in the league this season, both Roche and “September/October Player of the Month” Lawlor have scored in every game as the Peas have blazed a trail to the top of the table. Four games – four wins – sixteen goals.

Stephanie Roche and Sara Lawlor themselves have scored six and seven goals respectively and are perched atop the league’s topscorer charts.

In last season’s inaugural Women’s National League, it took Peamount until the last game of the season to secure the title ahead of Raheny. Even at this early stage of the season and with this in mind, Republic of Ireland international Stephanie Roche was in no doubt as to the importance of the win when she caught up with extratime.ie.

“I think it was really important for us to win, especially after losing in the cup.”

“Even just for confidence, you could see the team grew in confidence as the game went on and we just got better and better. Hopefully we can go on now and beat them in the next few games – because we have to play them twice more so it’s not over yet.”

Last Saturday’s meeting was the first game either side had since their dramatic Women’s FAI Cup Final a few weeks earlier. On that occasion, an injury time from Noelle Murray was enough to win the game for Raheny.

Rather than feel sorry for themselves however or let their heads drop, Roche told how Eileen Gleeson’s Peamount used this as extra motivation going into the league encounter.

“I think it nearly gave us more motivation to be honest with you. We didn’t really do ourselves proud in the final. We didn’t show up if we’re honest.

“So it’s good to get the win against them in the league. And obviously we’re trying to win the league again this year so it’s great to get one up on them.”

Saturday also saw Roche score her first goal against Raheny, something which she personally enjoyed. However the Peamount striker is all too aware of her strike partner’s talents and how they can complement each other.

“Sara’s pace causes any defence trouble. If I link up well with her we will tear any defence apart if you ask me.”

Next up for the defending champions is the visit of Shamrock Rovers to Greenogue next Sunday afternoon. Confidence is high in Greenogue though as Roche explained.

“I think after winning against Raheny we’re full of confidence. The defence have done well all year but going forward we linked up a bit better. Going into the Rovers game we are very confident”

The fixtures are starting to come thick and fast though and a daunting away trip to Cork comes the following Sunday. The former Bray and St Joseph’s player is quick to highlight though that even with this confidence, they are taking nothing for granted.

“Anything can happen in any game. Going down to Cork, the journey down and everything [is a factor].

“We’ll have to be firing on all cylinders to get something out of it. I’m not going to take anything for granted.”