League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Galway

Lynn Craven congratulates Ellen Molloy after the striker scores one of her four goals against Treaty United on Sunday, 18 April 2021.

Lynn Craven congratulates Ellen Molloy after the striker scores one of her four goals against Treaty United on Sunday, 18 April 2021. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Youths will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to four games when they host Galway at Ferrycarrig Park in the Women’s National League on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Tom Elmes' side secured their second win of the season last week when they defeated Athlone Town 1-0 at home.

Kylie Murphy scored from the penalty spot to give Wexford the three points with her third goal of the season.

After suffering defeat in their first game of the season the side have hit a run of form at the right time it seems and Ellen Molloy’s four goals against Treaty United two weeks ago is one of the major highlights of the year so far.

Youths also have an impressive record against Saturday’s visitors to the south-east with Galway last earning a victory over Wexford seven years ago.

In terms of team news, Tom Elmes is still without Lauren Kelly and Aoife Slattery due to injury, although Kelly is nearing a return for Youths.

Orlaith Conlon is available for selection after she was taken off in the first half of last week’s fixture against Athlone Town due to a facial injury.

GALWAY

The Tribeswomen have a decent record so far this season coming into this weekend’s game with Wexford Youths with just one loss in four games.



Billy Clery will have been pleased to see his side recover from their 2-1 loss to DLR Waves two weeks ago with a 4-1 win over Treaty United in Galway last Saturday.

Lynsey McKey, Savannah McCarthy, Shauna Brennan and Rachel Kearns conspired to kill the game with each player scoring in the space of six minutes of the first half against the Limerick side.

Kearns has six goals so far this season herself and she could be key to Galway securing their third win of the season against Wexford this weekend.

Ruth Fahy made her return to WNL competition for Galway when she came on as a second half substitute which is a huge positive for Galway.

Clery will also have been pleased to have Sinead Donovan return to the starting lineup and have her make an immediate impact, with the midfielder assisting Shauna Brennan’s goal last weekend.

Galway don't have any injury concerns heading into the game on Saturday but the club have confirmed that they have added former Treaty United player Nicole McNamara to the team and she could be in the squad this weekend.



MATCH STATS

Wexford Youths are unbeaten in three games heading into Saturday’s fixture.

Galway have recorded just one victory over Wexford Youths since they entered the WNL. That was a 1-0 victory in February 2014 when current Youths player Sinead Taylor scored for the Tribeswomen.

Rachel Kearns is leading the goal scorers so far in 2021 with six goals to her name so far this season.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 31/50; Draw 3/1; Galway 163/50.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 2–1 Galway

Wexford Youths

Injured: Lauren Kelly, Aoife Slattery.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.