By Conall Collier
Former Sligo Rovers striker Emma Doherty scored a 53rd minute Women’s Premier Division winner for Galway Utd against the Bit O’Red in a tight encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening.
Two and a half seasons at the Showgrounds ended surprisingly with a move to Galway during the transfer window.
The Buncrana woman’s second-half strike was all that separated the sides after 90 minutes as Amanda Smith’s lead goal for Galway was cancelled by Paula McGrory’s penalty close to the interval
Sligo Rovers made two changes from the team that defeated DLR Waves a week earlier with Rachael McGoldrick and Sarah Kiernan coming in for Kelsey Munroe and Jodie Loughrey.
Galway also made two changes from the team that negotiated Peamount Utd last time out with Amanda Smith and Therese Kinnevey replacing Aoibheann Costello and Kate Thompson
Galway dictated most of the first-half exchanges, but found the going tough against a resilient and uncompromising Sligo Rovers side that had a Rachael McGoldrick shot on target in the 11th minute and then there was an audacious lob from Paula McGrory a minute later that was narrowly wide.
At the other end it was all about the contribution of Julie Ann Russell who was a constant threat and she forced the error from the Bit O’Red rearguard in the 17th minute that created the opportunity for Amanda Smith to rifle to the net.
Despite conceding the goal, Sligo Rovers continued to push forward and were rewarded for pressure in the 34th minute when Keri Loughrey was impeded in the Galway penalty area and McGrory confidently converted the resultant spot kick to leave it 1-1 at the interval.
The Galway girls were quick out of the traps for the second-half and had two early chances before Doherty’s goal gave them the lead again.
It was generally a Galway dominated second-half and Amber Hardy produced her usual number of top class saves that denied both Doherty on 66 minutes and Russell soon after.
The Bit O’Red carved out an opening near the end, but Galway ‘keeper Jessica Berlin tipped the effort away for a corner.
Manager Tommy Hewitt had to watch again from the stand, but has now served a three-game suspension and will be back on sideline duty for next Saturday’s home game against DLR Waves, kick-off 2pm.
Galway Utd – Jessica Berlin; Lucy Jane Grant, Isabella Beletic, Jamie Erickson, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKey, Julie Ann Russell, Therese Kinnevey, Amy Madden, Amanda Smith, Emma Doherty. Subs – Aisling Meaney for McKey half-time, Rolake Olasula for Doherty 90 mins.
Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Leah Kelly, Alice Lillie, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Rachael McGoldrick, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Jessica Casey for McGoldrick 76 mins, Cara King for McDaniel and Rebecca Doddy for McGrory both 83m.