- Aaron Clarke
- Thu, May 05 2016
Wexford Youths took a giant leap towards retaining their Women’s National League crown on Wednesday evening when Willie Doyle’s side defeated Peamount United 3-0 at Greenogue.
First-half goals from Linda Douglas and Claire O’Riordan along with a second-half strike from Lauren Dwyer ensured Youths need one win from their remaining two games to be crowned champions.
The visitors, who entered the game on a run of five games in 14 days, opened the scoring after eight minutes through Douglas. The midfielder raced onto a lovely through-ball from Emma Hansberry before lifting the ball over Brooke Dunne in the Peamount goal.
Despite falling behind early on, Peamount had a great chance of their own soon after. Amber Barrett raced onto a long ball over the top, but the Donegal native failed to find the target with Ruth Fahy making an excellent last ditch block.
Youths doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Peamount’s Niamh Farrelly gifted O’Riordan possession on the edge of the box and the forward curled home a lovely first time effort for her 16th goal of the season.
Soon after, Barrett should have pulled a goal back for the host. After Jess Gleeson failed to control a long ball forward, the forward nipped in to rob possession from the central defender before seeing her effort cannon off the crossbar.
As Youths continued to look dangerous on the counter attack, Douglas raced onto a ball down the flank before the ex-Peamount player forced a good save from Dunne from an acute angle.
With the aid of a strong breeze in the second-half, the host started brightly and had an early opportunity on goal. Some good link up play from Sarah McKevitt and Barrett teed up McKevitt, who forced Tamara Furlong into a good save.
Peamount had another excellent chance soon after, Barrett again finding herself in behind the Youths defence, but she failed to beat Furlong who made a good stop.
Two minutes later, Youths sealed the victory after Dwyer fired home past Dunne from outside the box.
Despite a 3-0 lead Youths continued to press forward and almost added a fourth when O’Riordan beat the offside trap despite pleas from the home support, however, she failed to beat Dunne who made an excellent stop.
As the home side continued to search for a way back into the game, under-19s international Roma McLaughlin would force Furlong into action, however her first time shot was well saved by the Youths shot-stopper.
Despite some late half chances from O’Riordan, Kylie Murphy and Aisling Frawley, Youths failed to add to their goals tally as secured an impressive 3-0 victory.
They now head into Sunday’s clash with Galway WFC at Eamonn Deacy Park knowing a victory would see them earn back-to-back league titles and a coveted place in the 2016-17 UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.
Peamount United: Brooke Dunne, Lauren O’Callaghan (Isabella Finnegan 85), Louise Corrigan, Lauren Keely, Rachel Doyle; Sarah McKevitt (Danielle Murray 87), Emma Byrne (Lauren Kelly 82), Niamh Farrelly, Roma McLaughlin, Clare Kinsella; Amber Barrett.
Subs Not Used: Emma Donohue, Emier Lafferty.
Booked: Louise Corrigan (42).
Wexford Youths: Tamara Furlong; Nicola Sinnott, Jessica Gleeson (Aoibhin Webb 87), Ruth Fahy, Linda Douglas; Aisling Frawley, Kylie Murphy, Edel Kennedy, Lauren Dwyer (Becky Cassin 67), Emma Hansberry (Rachel Hutchinson 80); Claire O’Riordan.
Subs Not Used: Shauna Wall, Orlaith Conlon, Amy Walsh, Megan Whitty.
Booked: None.
Referee: Deirdre Nolan,
Attendance: 100 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Linda Douglas (Wexford Youths).
You can see Michael P Ryan's pictures from the game here.
