Galway United Women came out on top from a barnstorming contest in The Showgrounds to maintain their perfect start to the season last Saturday night.
The Galway girls led twice before being pegged back twice in a keenly contested tie in Sligo. Jenna Slattery eventually settled the matter with a coolly taken penalty in the 89th minute.
The spirit of the group and the strength of the squad were both evident as Phil Trill’s side hauled themselves over the line. However there can be no denying the dynamism of star duo Slattery and Julie-Ann Russell. Together, they have combined for eight of United’s ten league goals in their opening three games.
The third goal exemplified everything brilliant about their play. Desperate for the winner United will feel they merited, Jamie Erickson pumped a long ball forward in the 88th minute. Somehow, Slattery was still bombing forward. She won a header she had no right to win, and in the process was hit hard.
Julie-Ann Russell used all her experience and speed to be in the right place for the knock-down. She touched the ball in front of her and slid to finish across the ‘keeper for what should have been a sensational winner.
Instead, referee Glen Geraghty had already whistled for a penalty for the challenge on Slattery. To her credit, Slattery collected herself and slotted her third penalty in as many games for a crucial three points.
Her first was even more impressive. It came after an open contest in the first quarter where Lynsey McKey had gone close, but Sligo had also enjoyed some pressure too. In the 19th minute, a McKey corner caused consternation as it so often does. The ball was slipped to Slattery on the edge of the area who shot over the crowd into the back of the net.
Sligo, a much-improved outfit on last season and even last week, survived scares from Rola Olusola and Emily Kavanaugh before getting back on terms in the second half. Emma Doherty used her significant pace to break clear of the defence. Her shot was low and hard but Jessica Berlin, superb to date, will have been disappointed it snuck past her.
A McKey corner was the genesis for United’s second as well. Another dangerous delivery was met by Eve Dossen. Olusola then met the loose ball in the air and cleverly steered it across goal. Jamie Erickson, dominant in both boxes, took a touch and then lifted the ball brilliantly into the far corner.
United’s advantage was restored in the 70th minute but they were pegged back again by Sligo. Again, it was created by Doherty who was turned loose on the right. She scampered down the wing and squared to Jodie Loughrey who drilled home to set up the grandstand finish.
