League Report: Wexford Youths 0 – 4 Shelbourne
- Macdara Ferris
- Sat, Oct 29 2022
Shelbourne retained their WNL title with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening.
Coming into the game the teams knew who ever emerged victorious in this match would become champions. A draw wouldn’t have been enough for the home team and for Shels they would then have been relying on Athlone Town winning in Dalymount Park but that was all academic after Shels’ second half goalscoring display.
Until first half injury time the best chance of the game fell to the home team but the impressive Ciara Rossiter couldn’t keep her shot below the crossbar.
The opener came a minute into the three additional minutes being played in the opening half.
Maeve Williams pushed out Alex Kavanagh’s shot from distance and Jessie Stapleton was quickest to react. Two quick touches took her and the ball around Williams and from an acute angle she gave the Reds a 1-0 half time lead.
In the 58th minute Williams pulled off a super save to touch over Megan Smith-Lynch but two minutes later Shelbourne doubled the lead. Abbie Larkin played it into the Alex Kavanagh who powered home her header by the despairing dive of Williams.
The third goal came from Larkin’s deep cross from the right which was turned home by Smyth-Lynch with her left boot. Larkin then got on the scoresheet as the Smyth-Lynch returned the favour with an assist.
She played the ball through to the Irish international with Larkin riding the challenge of Becky Watkins before her shot was too hot for Williams who was beaten on her near post.
Wexford Youths Women: Maeve Williams; Orlaith Conlon, Ciara Rossiter, Méabh Russell (Lauren Dwyer 86), Nicola Sinnott; Aoibheann Clancy, Edel Kennedy, Jessica Lawler (Michaela Lawrence 86); Kylie Murphy, Emma Walker (Aine Walsh 64), Becky Watkins.
Subs not used: Claudia Keenan, Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan, Aoife Mohan, Freya DeMange, Mia Lenihan, Síun Murdiff.
Booked: Jessica Lawler (50).
Shelbourne FC: Amanda Budden; Leah F Doyle, Shauna Fox, Jessica Gargan, Keeva Keenan (Heather O’Reilly 79), Pearl Slattery, Jessie Stapleton (Leah Riley 87); Alex Kavanagh, Megan Smyth-Lynch (Rachel Graham 87); Abbie Larkin (Taylor White 89), Noelle Murray (Jemma Quinn 79).
Subs not used: Courtney Maguire, Aoife Kelly, Emma Starr, Lia O'Leary .
Booked: Pearl Slattery (22) Noelle Murray (37).
Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)
extratime.com Player of the Match: Megan Smyth-Lynch (Shelbourne)
Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl …
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