WNL Preview: Peamount United -v- DLR Waves

PEAMOUNT UNITED

Peamount have had the perfect start to the WNL, with victories against Treaty United and Cork City and they will be hoping to make it three in a row when they welcome DLR Waves to Greenogue on Wednesday. (KO 7:45PM).

In total, they’ve scored eight goals spread out across four goalscorers: captain Aine O’Gorman (2), returning striker Stephaine Roche (2), midfielder Elenor Ryan Doyle (2), and newly-recruited Irish U19 international Alannah McEvoy (1).

While their attack has been firing on all cylinders, their defence has been keeping up their part of the bargain as well.

The Peamount defence has been impenetrable so far, with goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke providing two successive clean sheets.

Their defence’s calmness under pressure as they play the ball out from the back highlights their supreme confidence, and breaking through the back four will prove to be DLR Waves’ biggest challenge. 

Louise Masterson will miss the game through suspension after she was set-off against Cork on Saturday.

DLR WAVES

In comparison to their opponents, DLR Waves have had a dramatic opening two fixtures.

They kicked off the league with a 1-1 draw in Galway, coming back to equalise in the 64th minute thanks to a Katie Malone strike. They came close to winning the game late on as Avril Briely saw a thundering shot saved by the Galway net-minder.

The second match went to the wire as well, but unfortunately for DLR it was Shelbourne who conjured up a winner following a tense affair in the UCD Bowl.

With 90 minutes gone and the scores tied at 1-1, hopes may have been raised as the home side were looking to seal an unbeaten start to the season.

A Pearl Slattery header for Shelbourne put those thoughts to rest, and DLR were left picking up the pieces.

This last-minute defeat may provide an impetus for DLR, who will be out to make their mark on the league table.

One of the players DLR will be looking to if they have any chance of getting a result is to 19 year old forward Katie Malone.

Speaking to the WNL website, DLR manager Graham Kelly noted that Malone “really has the full package to become a top player.”

“She has all of the basic skills so we have to fine-tune those over the next few months to help her get to that next level,” he added before acknowledging that the team will look to Malone to contribute more than just goals.

MATCH STATS

Peamount are the only side in the WNL yet to concede this season.

DLR Waves have drawn one game (vs Galway, 1-1) and lost one (vs Shelbourne, 1-2) so far this season.

DLR Waves last scored against Peamount in May of 2017 during their 2-1 win away from home. 

PREDICTION

Peamount 4-0 DLR Waves

Peamount United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Louise Masterson.

DLR Waves:

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.