Peamount United thumped Cork City 8-1 to move three points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity Women's National League as title rivals Shelbourne lost 1-0 to DLR Waves.
DLR Waves 1-0 Shelbourne
A big result for The Waves as the home side collected all three points at the UCD Bowl.
Both sides started the game off well with Shelbourne keeping majority of possession in the first half. When the Waves did break, they managed to find good space on the counter.
GOAL ⚽️ | DLR Waves 1-0 Shelbourne
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) April 23, 2022
The Waves break the deadlock just before halftime through Katie Malone!#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/PQOMhRpZIX
On the stroke of half-time, Katie Malone chipped a lovely ball over Amanda Budden to give her side the lead, a lovely finish from DLR's No 10 against the run of play.
The second half started similar to the first, with both sides eager to score the all-important second goal of the game. DLR Waves had some better chances in the second half, with Katie Malone and Rachel Doyle both coming extremely close for the home side.
Shelbourne had some great chances towards the end of the game, with substitute Gloria Douglas getting in behind the Waves defence, but striking the ball over the bar in the dying stages of the game.
A frustrating afternoon for the champions, but a great result that DLR Waves will be proud of.
Peamount United 8-1 Cork City
Áine O'Gorman fired her way to the top of the Evoke.ie Golden Boot leaderboard with five goals to bring her overall tally for the season to eight goals from seven games.
When O'Gorman is fired up, it usually leads to a Peamount win and there was little that Cork City could do the prevent that at PRL Park with the Peas captain hitting a first-half hat-trick and Karen Duggan making it 4-0 before the interval.
GOAL ⚽️ | Peamount United 3-0 Cork City
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) April 23, 2022
Hat-trick for Áine O'Gorman as she moves joint top of Golden Boot Goalscorer chart
Watch LIVE 👉 https://t.co/xrOtMpYVtG#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/miTL0tMsHw
If Cork tried to play a high line, they were caught out by through balls. If Cork defended deeper, Peamount applied more pressure. They fought for every ball but the visitors could not shut out Peamount.
Second-half goals from O'Gorman (2), Stephanie Roche and Alannah McEvoy wrapped up a big win, even though Shaunagh McCarthy's free-kick was deflected in by a Peamount defender.
Treaty United 0-2 Athlone Town
GOAL ⚽️ | Treaty United 0-1 Athlone Town
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) April 23, 2022
After her initial corner was cleared, Kelsey Munroe lobs the Treaty keeper with a second attempt
Watch LIVE 👉 https://t.co/Xn3MXKCweB#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/w02o5xw4Z7
Don O'Riordan will view this game as a missed opportunity for his Treaty United side to pick up points at home considering that there was very little between the two teams in this game.
Bottom of the table, Treaty needed a confidence booster. They played well in large patches and kept Athlone at bay, with goalkeeper Michaela Mitchell on full alert. But they failed to create many chances of their own.
Athlone, who have started the season in superb form, were patient in their play and did not take any unnecessary risks. Except for when a corner from Kelsey Munroe came back out to her on 55 minutes and she fired in the opening goal from long range.
The away team could breathe a little easier when Emily Corbet scored their second goal and made sure of the win - their second of the season.
Bohemians 0-3 Galway WFC
Galway WFC were triumphant against Bohemians as they came away with the victory on the road.
Within five minutes of play, Galway were ahead after a brilliant volley from Jenna Slattery inside the box. A beautiful strike to put Galway on the front foot at Dalymount Park.
The early goal didn’t deter Bohemians style of play however. The home side enjoyed some spells of possession and had some great chances coming from set pieces, but just couldn’t capitalise.
Galway started the second half with a determination to add to their lead and it didn’t take long. In the 54th minute, Emma Starr doubled her sides lead with a fantastic strike into the top-right corner.
Shauna Brennan extended that score line just a few moments later in the 58th minute to give Galway a comfortable cushion for the remainder of the game.
Bohemians had some good chances throughout the game, but all in all it was a comfortable win for Galway who take on Wexford Youths in their next game.
Wexford Youths 2-0 Sligo Rovers
The Youths managed to overcome a tough Sligo side at Ferrycarrig Park to come away with all three points.
Despite the scoreline, Sligo can be proud of their defensive performance coming away from the game. For majority of the game, the visitors managed to frustrate the home side and constant pressure was applied to a number of the Youths’ key players.
Becky Watkins got on the scoresheet for Wexford in the 38th minute after she made a great individual run into the box and directed the ball into the bottom left corner.
Sligo made it difficult for the Youths to capitalise on their first goal, and it wasn't until the 79th minute that Ciara Rossiter followed-up a fantastic save by Sligo goalkeeper Kristen Sample to give Wexford the two-goal advantage.
The scoreline didn't reflect Sligo's efforts and Player of the Match Sample made a number of key saves in the game, but Wexford continue their impressive winning ways.