Sligo Rovers travel to Tolka Park this weekend for another huge game in the Women’s National League (WNL) where they will tackle title-chasing and
defending champions Shelbourne.
The Bit O’Red lost to leaders Wexford last weekend, but were well in the game until the final 10 minutes when they were exposed as they pushed for an equaliser and conceded two goals in the space of a minute.
Shelbourne manager Noel King will have his players totally focused for the visit of Sligo Rovers and won’t need reminding that they were 2-0 to the good at the Showgrounds last July, but ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline in front of the TG4 cameras.
The formbook suggests that Shelbourne will have too much firepower for the newest team in the WNL, but that formbook would also suggest that Sligo Rovers will have a real go at taking the three points home from Tolka Park.
Steve Feeney’s side can score goals, as they proved against the WNL leaders Wexford last weekend and against Shelbourne the last time they met.
The Sligo women also take a very positive attitude into each game and always endeavour to play good football.
The physicality of the top teams was an issue for the Bit O’Red in the early part of the season, but that is something they have addressed as the season progressed.
However, Shelbourne will still be expecting to take the points, but they had to work hard for victory against DLR Waves last Saturday as goals from Megan Smyth-Lynch and Jessie Stapleton helped them to a hard-earned 2-1 victory.
The Dublin side know that they must win this game on Saturday to keep the destination of the title in their own hands.
Sligo Rovers will also want to get something out of the game to stay ahead of ninth-placed Cork City and also to boost the prospects of victory for the last game of the season on home turf the following weekend against DLR Waves.
LAST TIME:
RESULT
Sligo Rovers 3, Shelbourne 2
TEAMS
Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Amy Boyle-Carr, Helen Monaghan.
Subs – Sarah Kiernan for R Monaghan 33 mins, Emma Hansberry for McGuinness and Jessica Casey for O’Hara both 73m, Fiona Doherty
for E Doherty 85m.
Shelbourne – Amanda Budden; Jess Gargan, Jessie Stapleton, Pearl Slattery, Shauna Fox, Alex Kavanagh, Rachel Graham, Megan Smyth-Lynch, Keeve Keenan, Leah Doyle, Emma Starr.
Subs – Noelle Murray for Kavanagh, Heather O’Reilly for Keenan and Abbi Lareekin for Smyth-Lynch all 60 mins, Izzy Glennon for Starr 78m, Lia O’Leary for Doyle 85m.