Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Wexford Youths
- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, Aug 29 2020
SHELBOURNE
The biggest game of the Women’s National League season so far sees last year’s runners-up Shelbourne host four-time winners Wexford Youths (kick-off 2pm - stream live on Youtube).
Both sides have won all their matches so far and Shels’ four wins mean they trail champions Peamount United only on goal difference.
Successive 3-0 wins over league newcomers Bohemians and Athlone Town mean Dave Bell’s side have now scored 11 times this season with just one conceded.
Last weekend’s trip to the midlands saw the Reds win out thanks to goals from Noelle Murray, Niamh McLaughlin and Kate Mooney.
Murray opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half before subs McLaughlin and Mooney added late goals to seal the three points.
Shels have also been boosted by the inclusion of defender Izzy Atkinson along with midfielders Jamie Finn and Jessica Quinn in the Ireland squad to face Germany.
Shelbourne have not provided any team news to date.
WEXFORD YOUTHS
Wexford return to action after a two-week break following the postponement of last week’s home game with Galway.
Like Shelbourne, Wexford have a 100% record so far but, with just two games played to Shelbourne’s four, already trail the Reds and Peamount by six points.
A win at Tolka Park would this be very helpful in keeping Youths in touch with the early pacesetters.
Midfielder Ellen Molloy, who scored twice on her debut in the 4-1 opening-day win over Bohemians, has been named in Vera Pauw’s Ireland squad to face Germany next month.
Aisling Frawley proved the matchwinner a week later as Youths became the first team to face Athlone Town following their accession to the league.
Shels will be the first non-debutante team Tom Elmes’ side will face, however, and ties between the sides are invariably close and hard-fought encounters.
Trina Duggan and Aoife Slattery miss out for Wexford with injury, while Sinead Taylor is on active duty with the Irish defence forces.
Referee: David Dunne
MATCH STATS
Both sides have recorded wins over Bohemians and Athlone Town, in that order, in their two most recent games.
This is the first time this season Wexford have faced a side who had competed in the league before this season.
The sides met four times in all competitions last season, with Shelbourne recording an impressive three victories.
After a scoreless draw in their first encounter at Tolka Park, Shels would go on to win 2-1 in each of their subsequent league games.
They also met in the final of the WNL Cup in July, with Emily Whelan scoring the only goal at Ferrycarrig Park as Shels lifted the trophy.
BETTING
N/A
PREDICTION
Shelbourne 1 – 2 Wexford Youths
Shelbourne
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.
Wexford Youths
Injured: Trina Duggan, Aoife Slattery.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Sinead Taylor (Defence forces).
