MATCH REPORT: DLR Waves 0-2 Galway United (Women’s Premier Division)

Galway United extended their unbeaten run to five games in the Women’s Premier Division with a 2-0 win over DLR Waves at the UCD Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Gemma McGuinness and Jenna Slattery scored the goals to keep the Tribeswomen battling near the top of the table.

Phil Trill made two changes to the Tribeswomen after their 2-1 win over Sligo Rovers last Saturday with goalkeeper Jessica Berlin coming back in and Abbiegayle Ronayne dropping to the bench, Aoife Thompson also returned to the first eleven with Abbie Callanan starting on the bench.

Berlin came under some pressure in the opening minutes when Joy Ralph took the ball down the wing before drilling a cross into the box, the shot stopper managed to palm the ball away from danger to keep the side level.

The Tribeswomen took the lead in the twelfth minute when a Lynsey McKey corner kick was scrambled away only as far as Gemma McGuinness – she took aim from the edge of the box with Eve Badana initially making the save but the Republic of Ireland international was left watching the ball dribble over the line.

Aoife Thompson went looking for a second just minutes later when she was played through in the attacking third, the striker was in only for an excellent defensive intervention by Aoife Brophy to break down the Galway attack.

Berlin was called into action in the 26th minute when Ralph struck a strong free-kick from distance, the American was able to make the save to preserve the Galway lea however.

United were under pressure just minutes later with Katie Malone picking up a dangerous position for her teammates to find her, she managed to get in on goal but her shot rattled the woodwork.

Galway’s shot stopper showed excellent form in the 33rd minute with a top tier diving save to deny Bronagh Kane who very nearly finished off a stunning phase of attacking play by Waves.

Berlin denied Ralph again shortly after the re-start when Ralph managed to cut inside her marker on the edge of the box before striking a shot on goal – United’s goalkeeper stood strong once again to deny the striker.

United doubled their lead on the hour mark through Jenna Slattery when she saw an opportunity on the edge of the box – ball took a wild deflection on its way towards goal taking it out of reach of Eve Badana and nestling in the back of the net.

There was little in the way of clear cut chances for the remainder of the second half with United putting in a professional performance to seal the three points and keep pressure on the top of the table.

DLR Waves: Eve Badana; Robyn Bolger, Aoife Brophy, Jessica Gleeson, Hannah Tobin-Jones; Cliodhna Donnelly, Michelle Doonan (Amber Cosgrove 69), Katie Malone (Freya Roche 75), Neema Nyangasi, Eve O’Brien (Bronagh Kane 26); Joy Ralph.

Galway United Women: Jessica Berlin; Aoibheann Costello, Eve Dossen, Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey; Isabella Beletic, Gemma McGuinness (Nicole McNamara 87), Lynsey McKey (Roisin Jacob 84), Jenna Slattery (Jodie Griffin 84), Kate Thompson (Anna Fahey 87); Aoife Thompson (Siobhan Doolan 75).

Referee: Kate O’Brien.