A hard earned point for Wexford Youths Women in todays 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers at Ferrycarrig Park, Kylie Murphy our goal scorer.
There were very few clear cut chances in a tight tense first half, defences on top throughout. The visitors found it difficult to get through a well organised Youths back four and were restricted to long range efforts which didn’t trouble Claudia Keenan. The windy conditions also caused a few of their shots to fly over.
Ellen Molloy, in her third start of the season after returning from an ACL injury, looked a threat every time she got on the ball but Rovers managed to get enough numbers around her in dangerous areas. That was until the 33rd minute when the talented teenager eased past two of her markers and found Emily Corbet with a lovely pass down the wing. Corbet made it to the end line and pulled it back to the on rushing Kylie Murphy who delicately lifted it over a sprawling Amanda Burden. One nil to Wexford.
Rovers had a decent effort on goal just before the half time whistle but Keenan saved well to ensure the home side went in at the break ahead.
The Dublin side had a strong start to the second half but their first chance didn’t arrive until the 65th minute when Áine O’Gorman’s cross was met by Jaime Thompson in the box but the striker fired wide.
Wexford were put under pressure from then on but once again, Keenan was well protected, the only danger coming from shots from distance. O’Gorman and Scarlet Herron with their closest efforts.
Áine Walsh was brought on as the game went into the last quarter and her pace really troubled the Rovers defence. The young winger made a great run on goal in the 80th minute but was crowded out just as she was about to strike. Another Walsh run ended in a good chance for Corbet but the striker was unable to direct her effort on goal.
Wexford looked like they were about to grab a hard earned three points but the Hoops found their equaliser in the 92nd minute, a Lauren Kelly cross finding its way to the net – deflecting off Lauren Dwyer at the near post. The game ending 1-1 shortly after.
Wexford Youths Women FC: Keenan, Russell, Dwyer, Sinnott, Conlon, Clancy, Lawrence (Brophy 71′), Murphy (c) (DeMange 94′), Carroll (Walsh 71′), Corbet, Molloy
Subs Not Used: Nix, Murdiff, Lenihan, Bergin, Lawler
Shamrock Rovers: Budden, Gargan (Herron 74′), McCarthy, Fox, Reynolds (L Kelly 74′), O’Leary, Tuthill, O’Kane (A Kelly), O’Gorman (c), Ralph, Thompson (Zambra 86′)
Subs Not used: Lawless, Hennessy, Prizeman, Ruddy, McEvoy
