Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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30 September 2023 | 5:00 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Sligo Women complete double over Bohemians
Sligo Rovers recorded successive wins over Bohemians as the hosts collected a hard-fought second league win of the season at the Showgrounds, tonight.
In a meeting of fifth and tenth, hosts Sligo were hoping to bring the momentum of their FAI Cup run into the semi-finals into a challenging league campaign, where they have won just once so far.
Perhaps, seeking to atone for their own Cup exit, unexpectedly at Sligo’s hands in Dalymount Park a fortnight ago, Bohs were aiming to claw their way back into the table’s top three.
However, Sligo’s feelgood factor was channelled in the opening stages, persistent pressure unconvincingly dealt with by Bohs’ backline, who were punished inside five minutes when midfielder, Keri Loughrey, swept home the opener from close range.
Mia Dodd was cutting an isolated figure up front for the visitors, perhaps shaken by the prospect of successive losses to a Sligo side they had just about squeaked past in May, 1-0 winners, thanks to Lisa Murphy’s strike.
That past win was a long way from Bohs minds when Sligo doubled their lead, just after the half hour mark, a direct corner from Sarah Kiernan curling all the way around, into the net, over a stranded Rachael Kelly in the away goal, the Showgrounds ecstatic, 2-0 to the good.
The goal seemed to spark some life into Bohemians’ attack, McKiernan saving a Katie Lovely strike and Dodd then driving dangerously down the right, her shot inches past the post.
After the break, Bohs bossed the ball but were almost undone on a Sligo counterattack, Kelly smothering the effort from Emma Doherty.
Struggling to generate an offensive momentum, Bohs made a double alteration on the hour but still struggled to find an attacking rhythm.
That all changed in the sixty-sixth minute though, Lynn Craven halving the gap with a screaming, piledriver that flew past McKiernan in the blink of an eye, Bohs back in it to put nerves on high alert amongst the home faithful.
Woodwork denied Doherty getting Sligo’s third, the striker a bustling presence up top and so close to being rewarded with a goal for her endeavours leading the line.
Sligo did seal the points soon enough, though, eleven minutes from time, substitute, Paula McGrory struck a fine long-range strike home, a sweet finish ensure three points and just a second league win of the Women’s Premier Division for Rovers this year.
McGrory would ensure Sligo finished with a flourish, three minutes from the end, the replacement meeting a pinpoint Doherty cross with a brilliant volley past Kelly to leave Bohs stunned and the Showgrounds in satisfied delirium.
Both sides are back in action next in a week’s time, Sligo hosting bottom side Cork City (5pm KO), whilst Bohs return to Dalymount for the visit of Wexford Youths (5:30pm KO).
Timeline
16. Keri Loughrey | 5' | |
21. Sarah Kiernan | 31' | |
Sarah Kiernan Keeva Flynn |
52' | |
Leah Kelly Paula McGrory |
58' | |
59' | Rachel McGrath Niamh Prior |
|
59' | Kira Bates Crosbie Abbie O'Hara |
|
Casey Howe Katie Melly |
63' | |
66' | 2. Lynn Craven | |
11. Paula McGrory | 79' | |
11. Paula McGrory | 87' | |
Emma Hansberry Ciara Henry |
90' | |
Jodie Loughrey Jessica Casey |
90' | |
90' | Mia Dodd Anna Hegarty |
|
91' | Katie Burdis Sadhbh Moran |
Past Meetings
Ground
The Showgrounds |
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The Showgrounds - Sligo Rovers F.C., Magheraboy Road, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, Sligo Municipal Borough District, County Sligo, Connacht, F91 P523, Ireland |
FULL TIME - An emphatic second league win of the season for Sligo Rovers! Full report on the way, up shortly
GOAL - Sligo finishing in style as McGrory drills in a perfect volley from Doherty's cross!
GOAL - 3-1 Sligo!! McGrory with a fine finish from range!
OFF THE POST - Doherty so close to making it 3-1, her header from the resulting corner drifts just wide too
GOAL - Bohs back in it, a piledriver from Lynn Craven!
Now a double Bohs change as Niamh Prior and Abbie O'Hara replace Rachel McGrath and Kira Bates Crosbie
Second Sligo switch sees Paula McGrory come on for Leah Kelly
First substitution is a home one, defender Keeva Flynn on for scorer, Kiernan
Emma Doherty wriggles through for Sligo, Kelly again though stands firm, saving the effort
Eimear Lafferty shoots from distance but Kelly saves with ease
SECOND HALF - Can Bohs come back or will Sligo record a second successive win over them?
HALF TIME - Sligo two up and in control at the break
Mia Dodd goes even closer, a driving surge down the right, her shot just past the post!
Better from Bohs as Katie Lovely shoots on sight but McKiernan is behind it all the way
GOAL - 2-0 to Rovers! Sarah Kiernan swings in a corner, Kelly is under pressure and can't claim, the ball flies over her head into the corner of the net!
Neither McKiernan nor her fellow goalkeeper, Rachael Kelly, have had much to do so far, not that the former will mind with her side ahead!
This, an instant rematch of last week's FAI Cup quarterfinal, is being controlled by Sligo so far, who merit their early lead
Down the other end, Bonnie McKiernan does well to punch clear an incoming Bohs corner
GOAL - Sligo strike first and lead early here, pinball in the Bohs box not properly cleared and Keri Loughrey sweeps home the opener!
KICK OFF - Underway at the Showgrounds!
Afternoon and welcome to one of two remaining WPD games as the weather wreaks chaos across today's fixtures. For now, Sligo Bohemians is going ahead with kick off at the Showgrounds an hour away at 5pm and team news coming up