WNL Preview: UCD Waves -v- Wexford Youths Women

UCD WAVES

Second-place UCD Waves welcome third-placed Wexford Youths to Jackson Park (kick-off 2pm) as two of the league's three unbeaten sides face off.

Waves kept up the pressure on first-placed Peamount United with a narrow 1-0 victoryover Cork City last Sunday as Dearbhla Beirne scored the game's only goal early doors.

"We feel good as a team, but we only scored one goal, which we might be disappointed with,” Beirne told the league's website after the win over the Leesiders.

“At the end of the day a win is a win.”

“They were set up well, they were defensive and it took us a while to break them down but the chances started to come towards the end. We're top of the table for now, but it's early doors yet.

“The first few fixtures have been difficult but we’re settling into things now. We’ve Wexford next week so there’s no time to sit back but we’re happy with the way that we as a team are coming together now.”

Goalkeeper Erica Turner is away with the Irish under-17 side at the European Championships in the Czech Republic.

WEXFORD YOUTHS WOMEN

Wexford look to continue their unbeaten start to the season with a visit to Jackson Park and UCD Waves.

Youths sit third in the table, five points behind leaders Peamount United and three behind Waves, albeit with a game fewer played.

Last week saw Laura Heffernan's side fight back from a 2-0 first-half deficit to share the points with reigning champions Shelbourne at Ferrycarrig Park.

Nicola Sinnott and Claire O'Riordan got the goals for Youths after Siobhan Killeen and Alex Kavanagh put Shels two to the good within the first 16 minutes.

"The girls showed great character in the second half last week and hopefully they can carry that momentum into tomorrow's game,” Heffernan told the club's website.

“It will be a tough task to take something from Jackson Park. UCD are flying at the moment and currently sit top of the table so we are under no illusions of the challenge ahead tomorrow."

Heffernan will be without injured quartet Lauren Dwyer, Ciara Rossiter, Rianna Jarrett and Edel Kennedy while Orla Casey is at the European Championships with Ireland under-17s.

Referee: TBC

MATCH STATS

UCD Waves and Wexford Youths met twice during the 2016 short season as they finished the season separated by just two points.

While UCD had the edge in the table, Wexford edged the head-to-head as they won the meeting in Jackson Park 4-3 following a 1-1 draw at Ferrycarrig Park.

BETTING

N/A

PREDICTION

UCD 2 – 2 Wexford Youths Women

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Erica Turner (international duty).

Wexford Youths Women

Injured: Lauren Dwyer, Ciara Rossiter, Rianna Jarrett and Edel Kennedy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Orla Casey (international duty).