WNL Preview: Bohemians -v- Galway

Bohemians

Bohemians play their first home game of the season when they welcome Galway WFC to the Oscar Traynor Centre on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2pm).

The Gypsies faced a tough start to their first ever senior Women’s National League campaign last weekend when they faced Wexford Youths in Ferrycarraig Park.

Wexford put Bohemians to the sword and ran out 4-1 winners meaning a fairytale start to the season wasn’t to be for one of the new sides in this season’s WNL.

Manager Sean Byrne stressed the positives from that opening encounter.

"There were positives to take from our first game in the League last week, mainly because Wexford are such a good side and we kept going with the work-rate and the effort, which was very pleasing,” he said, speaking to the Women’s National League website.

"It was great to get a goal in our first game and it shows that we can score goals in this League. I was delighted for Chloe (Darby) to get the goal but also for the team.

“We now need to build on that and keep creating chances in every game.

"We're expecting a tough game against Galway. Billy (Clery) has been in the League a few years now and he has built a very well-organised team.

“It's another tough encounter but these are the games that you want to be involved in."

Byrne will have a full squad to choose from this Saturday.

Galway

The Galway Girls were unlucky not to win in their season opener against DLR Waves last weekend.

Aoife Thompson opened the scoring after an excellent free-kick into the box from Shauna Fox but Katie Malone equalized for the Dublin side midway through the second half.

Galway were on top for most of the game but the odd lapse in concentration almost cost them the game against DLR and manager Billy Clery will have reason to be cautious going into Saturday’s game against Bohemians.

"We started really well in our game against DLR Waves last week and should probably have been out of sight if we had taken our chances,” Clery told the Women’s National League website.

“But DLR came out in the second half, fought hard and got their goal. That's the way it goes if you don't finish when in front of goal.

"We're confident in every game that we play but we won't be underestimating Bohemians in any shape or manner.

“We reviewed the footage of their game against Wexford and they have a number of players who can cause a threat.

"Every team is looking to get off to a positive start. We need to keep collecting points to keep in touch with the teams at the top because the top three teams from last season all got off to winning starts so we need to catch up with them."

Galway will be without the services of Meabh De Búrca and Ellie Rose O’Flaherty this weekend, while Amanda Budden and Chloe Flynn are doubts.

Referee: Paula Brady

MATCH STATS

This will be the first meeting between Bohemians and Galway at senior level in the Women’s National League.

Chloe Darby scored Bohemians first ever senior Women’s National League goal during their season opener away to Wexford Youths last weekend.

Galway have gone four games unbeaten in the WNL, a run that stretches back to last season.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 0-2 Galway

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway

Injured: Meabh De Búrca, Ellie Rose O’Flaherty.

Doubtful: Amanda Budden, Chloe Flynn.

Suspended: None.