On Saturday Enniscorthy's ladies first eleven hosted Newbridge 1st hoping to improve on last weekend's disappointing loss to UCD and it proved to be a match to remember.
The hosts started slowly, allowing the county Kildare side the vast majority of possession and putting the Enniscorthy defence of Lett, Watchorn, Smith and Owen under pressure. Indeed, the creaking defence conceeded a penalty corner early on which lead to the first goal of the game.
Enniscorthy, though, pulled themselves back into the game with Chapman, Anna Flood and Wickham combining well to find Sweeney, whose effort hit off the left post en route to the back of the net.
Newbridge were unfazed by the Enniscorthy reply, forcing three penalty corners before earning a penalty flick which was duly converted, leaving the visitors 2-1 up at the break.
Six minutes into the second half Newbridge had the chance to stretch their lead when Norah McGinty in the Enniscorthy goal – who made a series of saves throught the match – was penalised for lying on the ball in the goalmouth. Fortunately for the home side the ball was sent wide and this seemed to be the moment the tide turned, though Enniscorthy had to wait to midway through the second half for the breakthrough.
Laura Bailey found Wickham and her accurate pass in turn found Sweeney, for her second of the game. Enniscorthy were now in control and forced a number of penalty corners, Anna Flood getting the cathedral town side the lead.
Newbridge were far from finished and with six minutes remaining on the clock captain Chapman stopped an almost certain goal for the visitors. With the clock then running out Enniscorthy fought hard to make certain of the win; Sweeny was fouled in the circle for the third penalty flick of the match. Laura Smith sent the ball high into the right hand roof of the net and sealed a 4-2 win.
Enniscorthy now find themselves joint top on goal difference at the summit of Division 7 – Newbridge are a point behind with a game in hand – and now have a two week break from league action before entertaining Old Alexandra 4th on February 3rd.
Squad: Norah McGinty, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Olive Lett, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Jessie Flood, Laura Bailey, May Wickham, Anna Flood, Hannah Sweeny, Roisin Treacy, Hannah Graham.
The hosts started slowly, allowing the county Kildare side the vast majority of possession and putting the Enniscorthy defence of Lett, Watchorn, Smith and Owen under pressure. Indeed, the creaking defence conceeded a penalty corner early on which lead to the first goal of the game.
Enniscorthy, though, pulled themselves back into the game with Chapman, Anna Flood and Wickham combining well to find Sweeney, whose effort hit off the left post en route to the back of the net.
Newbridge were unfazed by the Enniscorthy reply, forcing three penalty corners before earning a penalty flick which was duly converted, leaving the visitors 2-1 up at the break.
Six minutes into the second half Newbridge had the chance to stretch their lead when Norah McGinty in the Enniscorthy goal – who made a series of saves throught the match – was penalised for lying on the ball in the goalmouth. Fortunately for the home side the ball was sent wide and this seemed to be the moment the tide turned, though Enniscorthy had to wait to midway through the second half for the breakthrough.
Laura Bailey found Wickham and her accurate pass in turn found Sweeney, for her second of the game. Enniscorthy were now in control and forced a number of penalty corners, Anna Flood getting the cathedral town side the lead.
Newbridge were far from finished and with six minutes remaining on the clock captain Chapman stopped an almost certain goal for the visitors. With the clock then running out Enniscorthy fought hard to make certain of the win; Sweeny was fouled in the circle for the third penalty flick of the match. Laura Smith sent the ball high into the right hand roof of the net and sealed a 4-2 win.
Enniscorthy now find themselves joint top on goal difference at the summit of Division 7 – Newbridge are a point behind with a game in hand – and now have a two week break from league action before entertaining Old Alexandra 4th on February 3rd.
Squad: Norah McGinty, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Olive Lett, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Jessie Flood, Laura Bailey, May Wickham, Anna Flood, Hannah Sweeny, Roisin Treacy, Hannah Graham.
