Enniscorthy u16 girls v Newbridge : West Leinster League

Enniscorthy's girls took on Newbridge on Sunday. Having played a challenge practice game against Enniscorthy senior 2nds team, they were well prepared for the Newbridge challenge. The girls started brightly and tested the Newbridge defence with the pace of Elaine Quigley, Ciara Murphy and Hannah  Sweeney putting the Newbridge girls under pressure. In fact it was the combination of Sweeney and Murphy which was to create the first goal. Sweeney broke down the right and squared the ball to Murphy  at the top of the D and she duly finished into the back of the net. However, this seemed to ignite the Newbridge challenge and they began to get a foothold in the game putting the Enniscorthy girls on the back foot. With Alice Medcalf in goal and the defence of Laura Smith, Megan Dempsey, May Wickham and Laura  Bailey being strong and resolute and holding their shape they restricted Newbridge to short corners. However, midway through the first half, Newbridge equalised with a wonderful strike form the top of the D. This seemed to have a negative effect on the Enniscorthy girls and following another Newbridge attacking short corner they went 2-1 up when Enniscorthy failed to clear. With the half time team talk focusing on the midfield area, the Enniscorthy girls took to the 2nd half with renewed vigour. With Hannah Neville, Roisín Treacy and Pippa Davis upping their work rate in midfield Enniscorthy began to get on top in this area. And following a series of quick passes, Laura Bailey finished to equalise again with a wonderful strike from the top of the D. The Enniscorthy girls were now on top in all areas of the pitch and with the introduction of fresh legs of Emer O'Doherty and Eve Furlong, the girls went in search of the winning score. Eventually following good work again down the left the girls managed to create another goal scoring opportunity and with Ciara Murphy involved, Elaine Quigley got the final touch to score the winning goal. This was no more than the girls deserve and they closed the game out for a 3-2 victory. This was a big confidence boost for this group of players and their future in the league is very positive.