By Conall Collier
There was a mad minute at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening as hosts Wexford took the Women’s Premier Division points at the expense of a Sligo Rovers side that had ‘keeper Amber Hardy red-carded in the second half.
Manager Steve Feeney made two changes from the previous week’s game against Waterford, with Hardy and Alice Lillie replacing Bonnie McKiernan and Cara King.
Despite the final scoreline, this was a much-improved performance from the Bit O’Red, especially in the second half until they went down to 10 players, which effectively finished the game as a contest.
However, there was that key moment in the space of 60 seconds. Sligo Rovers reduced the 2-0 interval deficit when substitute Mairead McIntyre scored in the 62nd minute, but Wexford found an instant response as Ellen Molloy netted at the other end to make it 3-1.
Wexford had dominated the opening half and were denied an early goal when Sligo Rovers defender Keeva Flynn blocked a goal-bound shot in the 10th minute.
Soon after, Wexford’s Ellen Molloy broke through as the Sligo players appealed for handball, but her effort was wide of the target.
However, Molloy was involved in the buildup for the lead goal in the 17th minute with Charlotte Cromack finishing past Amber Hardy.
The Bit O’Red ‘keeper had to be at her best three minutes later to deny Kylie Murphy, who was unmarked at the far post.
Wexford continued to press, and Cromack headed over before the second goal arrived close to the interval when Murphy’s cross deflected in off the far post.
For Sligo Rovers in that opening half, Katie Melly and Anna McDaniel had chances, but the Wexford rearguard stood strong.
Sligo Rovers dominated the early exchanges after the interval with Emma Hansberry, who was outstanding, going close before McIntyre scored her side’s first goal of the season.
Wexford countered from the subsequent kick-off, and Molloy finished well, but the Bit O’Red pushed forward again and forced a series of corners that had the Wexford defence scrambling to clear the danger.
The action was end-to-end, and as Wexford surged forward in the 77th minute, Amber Hardy raced to the edge of her penalty area in an attempt to clear the ball and collided with a Wexford player. Referee Claire Purcell brandished one red card as both players received treatment.
Wexford capitalised from the resultant free, and Della Doherty made it 4-1, while at the other end, Paul McGrory carved an opening but was denied by a fine Maria O’Sullivan save.
Aoife Kelly completed the scoring for the hosts in added time.
Wexford – Maria O’Sullivan; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer, Kylie Murphy, Becky Cassin, A Kelly, Ellen Molloy, Freya De Mange, Charlotte Cromack, Sium Murdiff.
Subs – Millie Daly for Dwyer 60 mins, Aine Walsh for Cromack and Micheale Lawrence for Murdiff both 80 mins, Leah McGrath for Murphy 83 mins.
Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Eimear Lafferty, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Rebecca McIntyre for Melly and Cara King for Doherty, both 60 mins; Bonnie McKiernan for McDaniel, 79 mins; and Jessica Casey for Lillie and Kya McKenna for Lafferty, both 80 mins.
Referee – Claire Purcell.
Assistant referees: Dermot Broughton, Jonathan Hennessy.
Fourth official – Robert Clarke.