A comprehensive win for Wexford Youths Women at The Showgrounds last night, Edel Kennedy, Michaela Lawrence, Kylie Murphy and Ciara Rossiter on the scoresheet. There was also the added bonus of Ellen Molloy making her long awaited return after a year out with an ACL injury.
The Youths began in top gear and had already created a couple of good goal scoring opportunities before the deadlock was broken in the 19th minute. Kennedy notched up her first goal of the season with a lovely flicked finish past the keeper, Méabh Russell with the precise cross into the box. The midfielder is getting stronger each week after missing most of the season with injury.
Further chances fell to Lauren Dwyer and Ciara Rossiter before the second goal came when Michaela Lawrence scored her third of the season, a cracking right foot strike into the corner. The goal came at the right time as well, Casey Howe coming close for the hosts shortly before but a 2-0 half time lead did not flatter the visitors.
Lawrence almost got herself a second on the restart but her near post header went wide. Kylie Murphy tested Bonnie McKiernan with a long range effort but the keeper saved in the 55th minute.
Molloy made her first appearance since October of 2022 in the 66th minute and settled right into the action, a trademark left foot rasper not too far away as the game entered the last quarter.
Rovers kept pushing and Claudia Keenan did have to make two important saves to keep the Youths lead intact.
The result was in no doubt in the 74th minute however, Kylie Murphy slotting away from close range to make it 3-0.
Ciara Rossiter scored the goal of the game two minutes later, beating a defender and delicately chipping the keeper from a narrow angle.
The hosts did get a goal back in the 87th minute, Casey Howe with a fine finish.
The Women take on Treaty United next with a 6pm kick off at Ferrycarrig on Saturday, 9th September.
Wexford Youths Women: Keenan, Sinnott, Dwyer, Conlon (Lawler 81′), Russell, Murphy (c) (Corbet 78′), Clancy, Brophy, Lawrence (Molloy 66′), Kennedy (De Mange 67′) and Rossiter.
Subs Not Used: Nix, Carroll, Walsh, Bergin and Lenihan.
Sligo Rovers: McKiernan, Kelly, Boles (c) (Henry 69′), Doherty, Howe, K Loughrey (Casey 84′), Lafferty (Hyndman 69′), Kiernan, Lillie (Monaghan 78′), Nugent and J Loughrey.
Subs Not Used: Burke, Roddy, Ward and Doddy.
