A frustrating night at Ferrycarrig on Saturday as Shelbourne FC returned back to the capital with all three points with a 1-0 win. The defeat leaves Wexford pinned to the bottom of the Women’s Premier Division table after four games.
The home team started well but the Dublin side began to impose themselves on the game after fifteen minutes. The goal that would decide the contest came early, somewhat out of the blue in the 18th minute, Pearl Slattery powering a header past Jayne Merren from a corner.
Plenty of time on the clock for Wexford and they came close to an equaliser minutes later when Ceola Bergin directed her header on target, unfortunately not enough force on it to really trouble the keeper.
The Reds passed the ball well and were winning most of the physical battles but didn’t create any further major chances in the first half, an Alex Kavanagh free kick just going wide in the 33rd minute one of the rare attempts on goal. Wexford found it difficult to be creative and were just about staying in the game.
Jemma Quinn had a great chance to double the visitors lead just before the half time whistle but blasted over, a lucky escape for the home team.
There was no change in the pattern of the game in the second, Shelbourne defending their lead comfortably. A little luck came Wexfords way in the 50th minute when Noelle Murray’s strike came back off the woodwork. The scare did cause a reaction and Ellen Molloy did have the home teams best chance when she fired in a thunderous left foot effort but Amanda McQuillan saved at full stretch.
The final fifteen saw no major chances for either side, Leah Doyle’s dragged shot in the 79th minute been the closest.
Wexford will be hoping to pick up their first win of the campaign at home to Sligo Rovers next week.
Wexford FC Women: Merren, Russell, Tuthill, Conlon, Sinnott (c)(McGrath 82′), Rossiter, Doherty (Lenihan 80′), Clancy (Corbet 46′), Walsh, Molloy, Bergin (Lynch 83′)
Subs Not Used: Williams, Nix, Brophy, Daly, De Mange
Shelbourne FC: McQuillan, Keenan, Doyle, Gargan, O’Rourke (Gray 86′), Slattery (c), Kavanagh (McLaughlin 60′), Murray (Devereux 86′), Healy (Dodd 80′), Quinn (Graham 61′), Pierce
Subs Not Used: Magee, Hannon, Clare, Letmon
