By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will continue the quest for Women’s Premier Division (WPD) points on Saturday when they host fourth-placed Wexford at the Showgrounds, kick-off at 3pm.

Wexford last visited the Showgrounds in October and had to settle for a 2-2 draw as the Bit O’Red produced a typical battling performance in what was the final game of the 2024 season.

More recently, Sligo Rovers endured a torrid afternoon at Ferrycarrig Park last March, where Wexford recorded a flattering 5-1 victory against the Bit O’Red, who had goalkeeper Amber Hardy red-carded in the second half.

There was a key moment in the space of a second-half minute when Sligo Rovers reduced the 2-0 interval deficit through Mairead McIntyre in the 62nd minute, but Wexford found an instant response as Ellen Molloy netted at the other end to make it 3-1.

It’s tough going for Sligo Rovers at the moment with two players doubtful for Saturday, Alana Doherty and Rachel McGoldrick. There are also 10 players on the injured list – Leah Kelly, Amber Hardy, Cara King, Ava Hallinan, Kate Nugent, Jess Casey, Ciara Henry, Eimear Lafferty, Keela Scanlon and Sarah Kiernan.

However, the addition of Annie McKinley, Bernie Ferreira and Louise Masteson will definitely strengthen an injury-ravaged side.

McKinley made her debut last week against Galway and rocketed two headers to the net in the opening half when she got on the end of crosses from Emma Hansberry, a corner and a free.

She will be aiming for more goals against a Wexford side that also lost last weekend when Athlone Town took the points home from Ferrycarrig Park.

Wexford also lost the previous weekend against Bohemians in the WFAI Cup, and while they will be targeting a victory on Saturday, they will adopt a cautious approach.

“We didn’t make a good start; Wexford were on top and had a couple of early chances before they scored,” commented Bit O’Red boss Steve Feeney after the game at Ferrycarrig Park last March, and that is something he will be aiming to avoid on Saturday. Sligo Rovers v Wexford is live on LOITV, kick-off at 3pm.