Wexford took the Women’s Premier Division points at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday night with a confident display for a 3-1 win against a hard-working Sligo Rovers side that claimed the goal-of-the-match from Sarah Kiernan’s 49th minute equaliser, writes Conall Collier.

Wexford manager Stephen Quinn started the same 11 that won the previous week in Galway while his opposite number Steve Feeney had to plan without striker Emma Doherty who picked up a knock in a colleges’ game on Thursday with Aoife Brennan deputising.

The hosts hit the front in the 20th minute with a deserved lead goal from Michaela Lawrence after Abbie Brophy had earlier tested the woodwork.

Wexford also had chances from Lawrence and Ciara Rossiter in the opening minutes while Sligo Rovers didn’t create many clear cut chances although they worked hard throughout the half.

There was also a setback for Sligo Rovers as they had to replace Casey Howe before the break after she picked up an ankle injury.

However, the Bit O’Red got back on terms four minutes into the second-half with a superb goal from Sarah Kiernan who won possession around midfield and from halfway lobbed Wexford ‘keeper Maeve Williams and the net bulged.

Wexford countered instantly and Rossiter should have scored in the 53rd minute, but her effort went wide in a one-on-one with Amy Mahon.
 
The hosts had another good chance on the hour when Emily Corbett was denied by a finger-tip Mahon save that earned a corner.

Soon after Wexford ‘keeper Maeve Williams kept her team on level terms with a spectacular save that denied Kiernan a second goal and left the game finely balanced.

Then, Wexford regained the lead in the 70th minute with a fine goal. Abbie Brophy did all the work and Rianna Jarrett powered a header to the net.

It got better for the hosts with 14 minutes remaining when Orlaith Conlon’s ball out of defence created an opening and Emily Corbet finished to the net for her first goal for the club.

Wexford substitute Ceola Bergin could have added a fourth in the 90th minute, but wasted the chance.

TEAMS
Wexford – Maeve Williams; Orlaith Conlon, Meabh Russell, Nicola Sinnott, Ciara Rossiter, Aoibheann Clancy, Michaela Lawrence, Abbie Brophy, Rianna Jarrett, Kylie Murphy,  Emily Corbet. Subs – Ceola Bergin for Jarrett 79 mins, Freya de Mange for Lawrence and Shauna Carroll for Rossiter both 82m.
Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Amy Roddy, Keela Scanlon, Sarah Kiernan, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Katie Melly, Aoife Brennan, Casey Howe, Leah Kelly. Subs – Jodie Loughrey for Howe 39 mins, Keri Loughrey for Melly 67m, Aife Haran for Brennan and Helen Monaghan for Kiernan both 77m.