League Preview: DLR Waves -v- Bohemians

DLR WAVES

Waves will be aiming for their third win of the season when they host Bohemians in the Women’s National League on Saturday (kick-off 6pm).

Last week Graham Kelly’s side narrowly lost the Dublin Derby when they were beaten 2-1 by Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Waves will have been disappointed to go behind by two goals with Shels scoring in the 36^th and  57^th minutes through Emily Whelan and a Noelle Murray penalty but the visitors did fight back and Carla McManus made a real game of it with a fantastic long range effort in the 83^rd minute.

It wasn’t quite enough however, and the side eventually fell to their first loss of the season.

While DLR Waves have improved quite a bit this season so too have their next opponents, Bohemians.

Kelly’s side will have to be wary of the Gypsies attacking threat this weekend if they are to come away with the win, although with Waves possessing one of the stronger defences in the League, at the very least that side of things should be covered.

“Kate Mooney and Louise Corrigan are out with ACLs but Louise is back running this week after 18 months,” manager Graham Kelly told the club’s media team.

“Jane McKevitt is also injured and Catherine Cronin is unavailable.

“Katie Burdis is back after missing the start of the season with injury and Shauna Carroll and Carla McManus are fully fit after returning as substitutes last week.”

BOHEMIANS

Sean Byrne’s side had last week off and they will be well rested coming into their next fixture.

They faced League Champions Peamount United in their last fixture two weeks ago when they lost 3-0.

The Gypsies turned in a respectable performance however, with Peamount being held scoreless until the 65^th minute when Tiegan Ruddy scored.

Elanor Ryan-Doyle and Becky Watkins added two more in less than ten minutes to give Bohs their second loss of the season, but they shouldn’t be phased coming into this weekend’s fixture.

On the attacking front Bohemians have shown themselves to be fairly potent and if the can channel that this weekend while keeping it tight at the back they may be able to nick something against Waves.

MATCH STATS

These sides have met twice in the WNL with both games finishing 0-0.

Bohemians’ Chloe Darby is one of the top players for assists in the WNL this season. She is equal to Emily Whelan’s tally of three so far in 2021.

A win for the Gypsies would see them draw level with DLR Waves on points.

BETTING

DLR Waves 1/3; Draw 16/5; Bohemians 6/1.

PREDICTION

DLR Waves 2–2 Bohemians

DLR Waves

Injured: Kate Mooney, Louise Corrigan, Jane McKevitt.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.