Wexford Youths 2 - 0 Castlebar Celtic
Credit:
Wexford Youth Women produced a scintillating display on Saturday evening in Ferycarrig Park to overcome the challenge of an in-form Castlebar Celtic and move into second place in the Womens National League.
Playing their first match at home under lights, the Wexford girls started well and despite the best efforts of the Mayo visitors, they kept control of the game throughout the majority of the ninety minutes. Maria Delahunty went close early in the game, bringing a good save from visitors keeper Marian Murray and minutes later, Ciara Rossiter crossed and Rianna Jarrett saw her header just clear the crossbar.
With experienced defender Jessica Gleeson missing through injury, Republic of Ireland Under 17 International Rossiter was given her debut at centre back and despite her young years, she looked very comfortable and is definitely a bright prospect for the future.
The breakthrough came on twenty two minutes when Rianna Jarrett moved down the left wing, cut in along the by line and slotted the ball to Cherelle Khassal who made no mistake with her low shot to the corner of the net.
The home side never allowed Castlebar to settle into a rhythem and reduced their attacks to long range efforts which were comfortable dealt with by keeper Mary Rose Kelly and her defence. Linda Douglas and Ciara Rossiter were causing the visitors all sorts of problems on either wing while Edel Kennedy and Maria Delahunty looked in control in midfield while Rianna Jarrett and Cherelle Khassal always looked dangerous when they got the ball up front.
The defence of Clare Conlon, Lucy Sherwin, Catherine Power and the youthful Lauren Dwyer dealt comfortable with everything that Castlebar could throw at them.
Despite this level of possession, Castlebar should have been back level on thirty seven minutes when Shauna Jackson broke through but skewed her shot wide of the post with no one to beat but the keeper.
Wexford's dominance of the first half paid off with two minutes to go to half time when Khassal turned provider and crossed the ball and Jarrett headed to the net for her fourth goal of the season.
The second half saw the game settle into a battle of midfields as Wexford comfortably held on to their two goal cushion despite Emma Mullin coming more into the game and creating some opportunities but could not find the net.
With twenty minutes remaining, Ciara Rossiter had the ball in the net but was deemed offside and moments later Jarrett saw her shot hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounce out.
After ninety minutes of probably the best soccer played by the team this season, referee Nicky Boland sounded the final whistle and with Raheny losing to Peamount, Wexford leapfrogged the North Dublin side into second place.
On a night that the full Wexford team played well, Linda Douglas produced one of her best performances of the season with Cherelle Khassal and a rejuvenated Rianna Jarrett both excelling also Emma Mullin always looked dangerous for Castlebar with Jenny Byrne and Shaunagh Jackson also impressing.
Wexford Youth Women: Mary Rose Kelly, Clare Conlon, Lucy Sherwin, Catherine Power, Lauren Dwyer, Edel Kennedy, Maria Delahunty, Linda Douglas, Ciara Rossiter, Cherelle Khassal, Rianna Jarrett
Subs: Rachel Hutchinson, Katie White, Laura Heffernan, Amy Walsh, Ashling Frawley, Aimee Jordan, Tamara Furlong
Castlebar Celtic: Marian Murray, Shauna Fox, Theresa Fahy, Katie Walsh, Jenny Byrne, Patricia Moran, Stacey Muldowney, Lisa Casserly, Emma Mullin, Nicola Fawley, Shaunagh Jackson.
Subs: Ashling Hughes, Laura Carroll, Niamh Kerins, Sara McGrough, Aoife Gibbons
Referee: Nicky Boland
Assistants: Jimmy O Neill and Jimmy Kelly
Attendance: 185
