U15 ETP Girls Match Report

It was a long journey down to Wexford for the U15 Girls team. We left Navan at 10:30 AM for a 3:30 PM kick off.

The first half started with the NECSL squad having a lot of possession and putting Wexford’s defence under pressure. The match looked promising after a 13th-minute goal from Captain Sarah Power’s free kick. The NECSL continued to have good attacking play and combination play to both wings up till the 25^th minute.

Wexford found their momentum from that point on and their #9 forward began to put us under pressure in and around the box. Keeper Bonnie McKiernan was outstanding pulling off some incredible saves and owning her box until just before half time.

A shot was taken hitting the crossbar and with confusion from the NECSL defense, it was followed up with Wexford tying up the score 1-1 in and around the 30^th minute.

The second half saw the wind play a factor and the NECSL struggled to gain possession for a good bit of the half. However, the tenacity and work ethic of the forwards and midfielders defending high up in the pitch and in the middle third kept Wexford at bay as a threat in our goal area. The physical play of Sarah Power earned her two more free kicks in the second half. One in the 38^th minute and the more important finisher in the 68th-minute goals from our captain. She deservingly was Player of the Match with her hat-trick of free kicks and led her team to victory and a spot in the top 16 of the Gaynor Tournament.

Team

Subs:

Róisín, Alana, Caoimhe, Lauren,

 Shannon, Niamh M., Meg

Manager/Coach:

Karen Byrne and Dave Hewitt