League Preview: Cork City -v- Wexford Youths

CORK CITY

The Rebels will be looking to earn their first win of the Women’s National League season when they host Wexford Youths on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

Ronán Collins’ side have found it tough of late with just three draws so far this season meaning they are very close to the bottom of the table at this point.

City drew 2-2 with Athlone Town last weekend, despite taking the lead twice in the game.

Becky Cassin opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute after a pinpoint delivery from a corner by Eabha O’Mahony, but the sides went in at the break on level terms after Emma Donohoe converted a penalty in the 45^th minute.

Christina Dring fired Cork in front with just over an hour gone and it looked like they would hold out for their first win of the season until Melissa O’Kane got on the end of a controversial free-kick in the 82^nd minute to level the game.

It could be a tough ask for the Rebels to pick themselves up and get a win against an in form Youths side despite the good record they have against the visitors in recent times.

In terms of team news Sara McKevitt has returned to full fitness and should be involved this weekend.

Ronán Collins will be without Nathalie O’Brien, Zara Foley and Sophie Liston through injury, with Eva Mangan a doubt going into the game.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Youths have recovered from a couple of early blips this season and now find themselves on a three game winning streak as they prepare to face Cork City on Saturday.

Tom Elmes’ side haven’t lost since the first day of the season when they faced Peamount United in March and they have scored 14 goals since, firing themselves into second place right behind the current WNL champions.

Five of those goals came against Galway on Saturday, what would have been expected to be a closer affair turned into a route as Youths ran out 5-0 winners over the Tribeswomen.

Galway’s Shauna Fox turned the ball into her own net to open the scoring in the 38^th minute, which was followed by a goal from Lynn Marie-Grant just minutes later.

Wexford continued their dominance in the second half with three more goals from Sinead Taylor, Ellen Molloy and Aisling Frawley.

Youths could go top of the table with a win over Cork this weekend, although that may only be temporary depending on how Peamount United fare against Athlone Town later on Saturday.

There’s some good news for Youths with Lauren Kelly possibly available for action having recovered from a pre-season injury, Orlaith Conlon has also fully recovered from a facial injury picked up against Athlone Town.

Aoife Slattery is the only absentee for Saturday with a long term injury.

MATCH STATS

The Rebels are without a win in their first five games of the WNL season.

Cork City are unbeaten in their last three games against Wexford Youths.

Youths will go top of the WNL, at least temporarily, if they beat Cork City.

BETTING

Cork City 10/1; Draw 16/5; Wexford Youths 2/9.

PREDICTION

Cork City 0–2 Wexford Youths

Cork City

Injured: Nathalie O’Brien, Zara Foley, Sophie Liston.

Doubtful: Eva Mangan.

Suspended: None.

Wexford Youths

Injured: Aoife Slattery.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.