Match Report | Galway United 0-1 Bohemians (Women’s Premier Division)

Galway United fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bohemians on Saturday afternoon at Eamonn Deacy Park. Sarah Rowe’s goal for the visitors just before half time was enough for Bohemians to claim all three points. 

Bohemians kicked off and the opening couple of minutes showed Galway’s willingness to press from the front and attempt to win the ball back high up the pitch. The opening 10 minutes saw both teams looking to gain a foothold in the game, with United almost unlocking the Bohs defence with a lovely pass from Gemma McGuinness which was aimed for the run of Anna Fahey but the Bohemians goalkeeper Rachael Kelly came out to collect and ease the pressure. 

Gemma McGuinness continued to cause problems just a couple of minutes later as she cut inside from the left and her right footed effort curled just over the bar from the edge of the box. Moments later, Jenna Slattery showed great skill to flick the ball over the heads of two Bohs defenders, before striking a bicycle kick towards goal which was well blocked. 

Bohemians had started the game focusing their attacks down the right-hand side with Sarah Rowe, but after the first quarter of an hour they switched the ball out to Kira Bates-Crosbie who delivered a dangerous cross which was claimed well by Abbiegayle Ronayne in the United goal. 

United’s biggest chance of the half came after 31 minutes when the ball broke to McGuinness at the back post, she took the ball down and struck a half-volley which looked destined for the top corner, but Kelly was equal to it and tipped it over for a corner. 

The only goal of the game came after 40 minutes when a mix-up at the back led to goalkeeper Ronayne being pressed by Rowe before clearing the ball against the Bohs attacker and looping into the United net. 

United started the second half well as they probed the Bohemians defence in an effort to get their equaliser. Just before the hour mark, McGuinness was played in behind the Bohs defence and her left footed effort was well saved again by Kelly at the near post. 

United continued to threaten as the half drew on, Kinnevey crossed a ball in on 65 minutes, Kelly came out to claim but spilled the ball before the defence managed to clear the danger. 

Galway continued to pressurise the Bohs defence but struggled to create another clear cut chance before the final whistle. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. 

Galway United: A. Ronayne, T. Kinnevey, E. Dossen, J. Erickson, A. Costello (A. Madden, 83’), I. Beletic (J. Griffin, 46’), J. Slattery, K. Thompson, G. McGuinness, L. McKey, A. Fahey (A. Thompson, 61’)

Bohemians: R. Kelly, L. Craven, L. Murphy, C. Maher (K. Burdis, 68’), K. Lovely, F. Donnelly, S. Rowe, M. Dodd, R. Doyle, K. Bates-Crosbie, E. Burke.

Next up, Galway United face Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday March 25th at 2pm.

Match Tickets will be available to purchase HERE.

Image courtesy of: GalwayLocals FootballFan