Wexford FC Women fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Peamount United at PRL Park on Saturday evening, a tough result to take after a good performance against the reigning champions, the goal coming in the 85th minute from the penalty spot.
The loss sees Wexford pinned to the bottom of the Women’s Premier Division table after three rounds of games, Hugh Strong’s team having lost two and drawn one.
Kylie Murphy returned to the starting line up but it ended up been a frustrating evening for our captain who was sent off for the handball which resulted in the deciding penalty. There wasn’t much Murphy could have done, the ball skipping of the ground and hitting her in the hand as she stood on the goal line defending a corner.
Ireland international Erin McLaughlin was a little lucky with her spot kick which went underneath Jayne Merren’s dive, the power of the shot taking it past her.
Wexford will have felt they had done more than enough for a share of the spoils up to that point in a hugely competitive contest in the capital.
After a cautious opening the first meaningful effort on goal arrived in the 24th minute, Ireland international Jess Fitzgerald forcing Merren into a decent save. Fitzgerald had another effort on goal minutes later but her free kick went over. The hosts were on top at this stage and were unlucky not to score in the 29th minute when Ellen Dolan’s long range effort grazed the Wexford crossbar.
Wexford finished the half well however and Della Doherty came close with a header that had plenty of power but missed the target. Ellen Molloy came closer again in the 39th minute but Reid-Burke did well to save her poweful left foot shot. Scoreless at the break.
Ciara Rossiter had a great chance to put Wexford ahead in the 51st minute as she ran through on goal but she seemed to get caught in two minds and shot tamely at the keeper. Molloy had another good effort on the hosts goal in the 62nd minute but dragged her shot just wide.
Peamount had a few efforts from distance but rarely troubled Merren as the game went into the last 15. Wexford defended a little deeper as the game wore on but still posed the champions problems on the break, Kylie Murphy almost scoring with an audacious chip from distance .
The deciding moment of the game came with five minutes left on the clock, Wexford reduced to ten players with Murphy dismissed for handball on the line. McLaughlin scoring the only goal of the game from the spot.
Wexford return to action on April 20th when they welcome Cliftonville to Ferrycarrig in the All-Island Cup.
Wexford FC Women: Merren, Tuthill, Conlon, Doherty, Russell, Rossiter (Lynch 68′), Clancy (Walsh 90′), Murphy (c), Bergin (Lenihan 68′), Molloy, Corbet (McGrath 57′).
Subs Not Used: Williams, Nix, Lawrence, Sinnott, De Mange
Peamount United: Reid-Burke, O’Callaghan, Merrill, McLaughlin, Healy, Fitzgerald, Dolan, Duggan (c), Beirne, Maher, McGonnell (Doyle 75′).
Subs Not Used: Richardson, Coombes, Masterson, Muldoon, Dermody, Noonan, Connaughton, Ceno
