On 25th September the 1st Enniscorthy Hockey Ladies faced Kilkenny Ladies 1sts away in Kilkenny College for their first league game of the 2016/17 season. Without a doubt the Slaney Siders knew it was going to be a fast and physical game, but were determined to all put in 110% effort as they have been training hard since the beginning of August.
Having won the toss, Enniscorthy started the game at quarter past 1. The first half was even stevens with neither team scoring. The home team applied enormous pressure on 'Scorthy defenders and were awarded two short corners but were unable to hit the backboard. Although many attempts were made on the Enniscorthy goal, goalkeeper Fiona Rothwell made some great saves with one in particular whereby she managed to defend a high ball by knocking it over the net. She was adamant to have a clean slate at half time! Sweeper Julie Watchorn played a great game clearing the ball out of the circle and passing out to her new back line Ruth Harrington, Áine O’Brien and Katie Owen. The midfielders linked up well together and had some lovely play going on in the centre of the field. Leah Chapman, Olive Lett and Nancy Dunphy hit some strong balls up to the forwards, but unfortunately today wasn’t the Slaneysider’s day as nothing was made of them. The visitors won a short corner where Leah Chapman had the right idea of taking a shot but narrowly missed.
As the rain started to come down in the second half, Kilkenny’s relentless pressure finally paid off and resulted in the home team scoring two goals from play. Unfortunately these were the only two goals of the game and Enniscorthy were unable to respond, although the 'Scorthy ladies had some breaks up the left and right during both halves.
Next up for the Enniscorthy Ladies is a home tie with Wexford 2nds this coming Saturday.
Enniscorthy Squad: Fiona Rothwell, Julie Watchorn, Ruth Harrington, Áine O’Brien, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Nancy Dunphy, Olive Lett, Laura O’Leary, Marti Rudd, Niamh Buttle, Fiona Breen, Mairead Neville, Alice Kelly
Having won the toss, Enniscorthy started the game at quarter past 1. The first half was even stevens with neither team scoring. The home team applied enormous pressure on 'Scorthy defenders and were awarded two short corners but were unable to hit the backboard. Although many attempts were made on the Enniscorthy goal, goalkeeper Fiona Rothwell made some great saves with one in particular whereby she managed to defend a high ball by knocking it over the net. She was adamant to have a clean slate at half time! Sweeper Julie Watchorn played a great game clearing the ball out of the circle and passing out to her new back line Ruth Harrington, Áine O’Brien and Katie Owen. The midfielders linked up well together and had some lovely play going on in the centre of the field. Leah Chapman, Olive Lett and Nancy Dunphy hit some strong balls up to the forwards, but unfortunately today wasn’t the Slaneysider’s day as nothing was made of them. The visitors won a short corner where Leah Chapman had the right idea of taking a shot but narrowly missed.
As the rain started to come down in the second half, Kilkenny’s relentless pressure finally paid off and resulted in the home team scoring two goals from play. Unfortunately these were the only two goals of the game and Enniscorthy were unable to respond, although the 'Scorthy ladies had some breaks up the left and right during both halves.
Next up for the Enniscorthy Ladies is a home tie with Wexford 2nds this coming Saturday.
Enniscorthy Squad: Fiona Rothwell, Julie Watchorn, Ruth Harrington, Áine O’Brien, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Nancy Dunphy, Olive Lett, Laura O’Leary, Marti Rudd, Niamh Buttle, Fiona Breen, Mairead Neville, Alice Kelly
