SSE Airtricity Womens’s National League
Galway WFC 3-1 Bohemians FC
A sun-drenched day turned out to be a day in the sun for Galway WFC, as they dispatched of Bohemians 3-1 in Eamonn Deacy Park.
The performance may not have been vintage, with the first two goals from Rachel Kearns and Kate Slevin having a touch of luck to them. However, Billy Clery and his management team will care little as they come away with the three points.
Both teams came into the clash unchanged from their Matchday One fixtures. Galway WFC were looking to build on a 3-3 draw against Cork City in the opener, meanwhile Bohemians made the trip West fresh off a fine 6-2 win over Treaty United.
It didn’t take the hosts long to fashion a chance to open the scoring. There were all of 30 seconds on the clock when Lynsey McKey fizzed the ball across the turf to Kate Slevin. Slevin’s golden opportunity was unfortunately arced over.
A Chloe Moloney ball over the top found the feet of the youthful Slevin only moments later, however the linesman adjudged her to be offside before she got the shot off.
In the 15th minute, Naima Chemaou became the first player to go into the book of the man in the middle for a challenge on Therese Kinnevey.
Galway attempted to exploit the high-line of the Bohemians defence with pace in behind, however the offside flag was their enemy on numerous occasions within the opening 20 minutes.
It was the half-hour mark when Galway edged ahead in fortuitous style via the totemic Rachel Kearns. Lynsey McKey’s ball over the top looked as though it would be a simple ball for Bohemians defender Jade Reddy with Kearns giving chase. However, a case of crossed wires between both the net-minder Niamh Coombes and Reddy saw the ball fall very kindly to Kearns, who converted with ease for the first goal of the game.
Four minutes later, it was another defensive error which granted Kate Slevin a chance to double the advantage, which she took in style. Chloe Flynn’s slip saw Kearns bearing down on goal again. Coombes showed exceptional bravery to race out and thwart Kearns, however as the ball came out again Slevin’s first time attempt was on the mark as it nestled in the bottom corner.
In truth, the girls from Dalymount would have been disappointed to go in two goals in arrears as, outside of their errors, they defended astutely and kept shape throughout the opening 45. However, that counts for little, and Galway were happy to go in with their fortunate 2-goal lead.
Bohemians made four changes at the changeover to try and assert some semblance of dominance on the clash, however it was Galway who flew out of the traps. Therese Kinnevey’s speculative attempt from about 30 yards out came dangerously close to creeping under the bar, whilst Kearns shot after racing down the right flank was narrowly wide.
The pressure told ten minutes into Act Two. Chloe Singleton took the ball down following a throw-in in the right pocket. Singleton’s cross was inch-perfect, and Lynsey McKey was on hand to dispatch with her regular prowess.
In the 69th minute Bohemians got a goal which many would say they deserved. Chloe Derby struck the corner exceptionally. So much so, it managed to creep in unopposed at the far post to cut the deficit back to two once again.
Chloe Kearns almost had a second only 60 seconds after the hosts conceded, after Chloe Singleton’s through ball had the defence on the back foot. Kearns shot was unfortunately wayward.
The result will have been tainted somewhat by the dismissal of Chloe Singleton in the dying embers. Singleton was shown a second yellow in the 89th minute, and will miss Galway WFC’s trip to the capital next week for a game with DLR Waves.
Being reduced to ten women had no effect on the result, and as the final whistle blew, the scoreline had the Westerners two goals to the good.
Galway WFC: Maja Zajc, Shauna Brennan, Chloe Moloney, Kate Slevin, Shauna Fox, Therese Kinnevey, Savannah McCarthy, Rachel Kearns, Chloe Singleton, Lynsey McKey, Aoife Thompson.
Subs: Tessa Mullins for Thompson(53′), Elle O’Flaherty for Brennan(65′) Abbie Callanan for Kearns(84′).
Bohemians FC: Niamh Coombes, Paula Doran, Jade Reddy, Isobel Finnegan, Chloe Flynn, Ally Cahill, Chloe Darby, Abbie Brophy, Bronagh Kane, Naima Chemaou.
Subs: Anne-Marie Byrne for Reddy(HT), Erice Burke for Kane(HT), Aoife Robinson for Chamaou(HT), Erica Byrne for Cahill(HT).
