WNL Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Bohemians

Wexford Youths

Youths begin their 2020 season against newcomers Bohemians on Saturday evening (kick-off 6.30pm).

The four time champions will have been disappointed by their third place finish in 2019 and Tom Elmes side will be looking to get points on the board as quickly as possible to try and win back the title, starting with Bohemians.

Last year’s WFAI Cup Champions are facing the unknown when they host Bohemians this weekend but Elmes has positive feelings about the additional teams in the League this season.

“The players are looking forward to this opening game,” Elmes said, speaking to the WNL website.

“We were all set to go last March before COVID hit and the League was postponed, but we’ve kept going and now we want to get playing again.

“If you look around the League, the amount of current Ireland players, former Ireland players, and underage Ireland players, it shows the talent that is there.

“We don’t have many international players and that is something we would like to change.

“We know that Bohemians will be a little bit of an unknown but we look forward to playing them. It’s great to have more teams in the League this year and I expect it to be a tighter League this year as a result.”

Striker Blessing Kinglsey is a doubt for Wexford this weekend while the only confirmed absentee is Sinead Taylor who is unavailable due to work commitments.

Bohemians

It’s a historic weekend for one of Ireland’s most storied clubs when Bohemians take the field for their first senior Women’s National League game on Saturday.

The Gypsies have gotten one of the toughest assignments possible by facing one of the top teams in Ireland for their first game but manager Sean Byrne is more interested in the performance rather than the result.

““We know that we have a lot to prove being a brand new team and it will take some time for our girls to gel as a unit, but we hope that the work we have been doing on the training pitch will stand to us,” he said, speaking to the WNL website.

“The real question is: can we compete in each game? For us, it’s all about the performance. We have a very young squad and this season will be a learning experience for them, but we want them to make the most of it.

“Of course, we know what to expect against Wexford – they are a very good team and won the Cup last year. We want to put in a good performance against them and see how we match up.”

Bohemians have a clean bill of health going into their opening game of the season.

Referee: Claire Purcell

MATCH STATS

This is Bohemians first game at senior level in the Women’s National League.

Wexford are facing into the season without Rianna Jarrett, who signed for Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this year. The striker was the top scorer in the League in 2019 with 26 goals to her name.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 5-0 Bohemians

Wexford Youths

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Blessing Kingsley

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None

Suspended: None.