BY CONALL COLLIER
Super Sydney Stephens deputised as Sligo Rovers captain and helped herself to a hat-trick in a 5-1 Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory against Bohemian FC at the Showgrounds on Saturday.
This was a first WPD win of the season for the Bit O’Red with goals from Stephens (two) and Cara King for a 3-0 interval advantage and Cara Jordan and Stephens completed the tally in the 54th and 93rd minutes respectively for a comprehensive victory.
Despite the scoreline, Bohemians probably left the Showgrounds wondering how they hadn’t scored in the opening half, but they had to wait until the 85th minute for Alex Devoy’s consolation goal.
The Bit O’Red starting 11 featured two changes from the draw against Peamount with Alana Doherty and Cara King starting in place of Emma Hansberry and Paula McGrory.
There were four changes for Bohemian FC following the defeat by Treaty Utd last weekend with Savannah Kane, Aoife Fennell, Leiagh Glennon and Hannah O’Brien favoured in place of Ciara Maher, Alannah McEvoy, Sarah McKevitt and Aoife Sheridan.
The Dublin women created some good early chances with Katie Malone’s ninth minute effort flashing over the bar and soon after the quality of that bar was tested when her well-struck shot rebounded and was cleared by a relieved Bit O’Red defence.
However midway through the half Sydney Stephens got her first goal when she broke through from Cara Jordan’s pass and rifled past Rachael Kelly.
Stephens then put pressure on the Bohemians defence from the resultant kick-off and almost grabbed a second goal, but Bohemians averted the danger,
Stephens was in creative mode in the 26th minute when she won a race for possession in the penalty area with Rachael Kelly and her low cross was scrambled over the line by Cara King.
Trailing by two didn’t deter Bohemians and on the half hour Bonnie McKiernan produced a sensational save to deny Hannah O’Brien while at the other end, Stephens grabbed her side’s third goal with a deft header that crept inside the post from Sabrina Hillyer’s free and that 3-0 interval advantage.
Stephens maintained her input in the second-half and carved the opening for Cara Jordan’s 54th minute goal that effectively sealed the victory.
Bohemians kept pushing forward and were rewarded with that late Devoy goal, but Stephens took the plaudits when she claimed her hat-trick in the 93rd minute. She dispossessed Sarah Power and cut in from the sideline to finish from an acute angle.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Kelsey McQuillan, Alic Lillie, Alana Doherty, Cara Jordan, Manu Baptista Filipe, Sabrina Hillyer, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Leah Kelly for McQuillan and Abbey Rooney for McDaniel both 61 mins, Mairead McIntyre for King and Rachel McGoldrick for Manu both 79m, Ava Hallinan for Hiller 86m.
Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly, Lisa Murphy, Hannah Healy, Katie Malone, Sarah Power, Aoife Brophy, Savannah Kane, Katie Lovely, Aoife Fennell, Leiagh Glennon, Hannah O’Brien.
Subs – Robin Baird for Murphy half-time, Aoife Brennan for Lovely, Alannah McEvoy for Malone and Lauren McCabe for O’Brien all 57 mins,
Referee – Oisin Walsh.
Assistant-referees – Ciaran O’Reilly, Niall McLoughlin.
Fourth official – Richard Storey.