Last home game in a memorable inaugural Women’s National League (WNL) season for Sligo Rovers as they welcome DLR Waves to the Showgrounds for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.
With home wins already secured against the top two, Wexford and Shelbourne, the Bit O’Red will be aiming to produce some of that form once more as they host a team that hit seven goals last week against Treaty Utd.
DLR Waves hit the front against Treaty after just eight minutes through Kate Mooney and they added a second on 22 minutes through Nicole Keogh while Katie Malone made it 3-0 before the break.
DLR maintained the tempo and within three minutes of the restart had a fourth, Mooney shooting home, a fifth followed after 65 minutes when Shauna Carroll finished from close range and Kerri Letmon made it seven with a brace in added time.
That should be a stark warning for Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney who will be keen to finish the season on a winning note after solid performances away from home against the aforementioned top two and title contenders in the past fortnight.
Feeney also saw his team go close to grabbing a win last time out in a five-goal thriller against DLR Waves at the Belfield Bowl as Kate Mooney claimed an 81st minute winner for the hosts.
Gemma McGuinness had Sligo Rovers in the lead after only 10 minutes when she raced through the DLR defence and finished confidently past Eve Badana.
DLR countered, but it wasn’t until the 40th minute that Sophie Watters headed the equaliser.
The second-half was only five minutes old when DLR hit the front after substitute Avril Brierley capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area, but on the hour the Bit O’Red levelled when Emma Doherty rifled to the net.
The Rovers were denied a lead goal by the crossbar after a surging run by Kerri O’Hara and DLR countered swiftly to create an opening, but the danger was averted.
Paula McGrory then had a chance for the Rovers, but her effort skimmed the bottom of the post before Kate Mooney rocketed a header to the net in the 81st minute to seal a thrilling win for the Dublin side.
Undaunted, the visitors had one last chance in added t ime when Gemma McGuinness found space in the DLR penalty area, but her shot was saved.
Another action-packed encounter is on the cards on Saturday as both teams look to finish the season on a winning note.
LAST TIME
DLR WAVES 3, SLIGO ROVERS 2
TEAMS
DLR Waves – Eve Badana; Lynn Craven, Jess Gleeson, Fiona Donnelly, Rachael Doyle, Kerri Letmon, Katie Malone, Aoife Brophy, Sophie Watters, Oleta Griffin, Sara McKevitt. Subs – Avril Brierley for McKevitt 8 mins, Kate Mooney for Letmon and Orla Fitzpatrick for Doyle 72m, Nadine Clare for Donnelly 82m.
Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Amy Roddy, Kerri O’Hara, Fiona Doherty, Paula McGrory. Subs – Helen Monaghan for O’Hara 75 mins, Aoife Brennan for F Doherty 81m, Katie Melly for Kelly and Sarah Kiernan for Hyndman 86m.