A dominant display from the reigning WNL champions Shelbourne saw them record a comfortable victory against Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park.
An important three points as the result means Noel King's side join Peamount at the top of the table on 18 points each.
Shelbourne started the game at an almighty pace and with serious intent from the off.
Everything in the early stages was going down the right wing through Jess Gargan and on five minutes Gargan’s dangerous cross into the box was met with a sweet volley from Saoirse Noonan to give the visitors a deserved lead..
As the first half progressed Wexford did begin to grow into the game more but were struggling to build anything of note outside of their own half with the pressure the visitors were applying.
Shelbourne continued to press and exert their dominance. Rachel Graham and Jessie Stapleton worked tirelessly and very effectively in midfield to keep the threat of Ellen Molloy and Kylie Murphy to a minimum throughout.
On the half hour mark Shels doubled their lead through Keeva Keenan. Keenan picked the ball up on the edge of the box after silky footwork from Ziu before lifting a shot up and over Williams into the roof of the net. There was some uncertainty from the officials for a few moments as to whether the ball had crossed the line but the goal was given and the lead was two.
On the stroke of half time the home side could have pulled one back. Ellen Molloy weaved her way through midfield with dazzling feet before finding Murphy with a perfectly weighted through ball. Murphy couldn’t get her usual power behind her effort leaving Budden with a routine pick up.
Wexford, despite not creating too many clear cut opportunities close to goal did grow into the game more in the second period.
Ciara Rossiter was excellent in the second half threatening from the right for Wexford but Stephen Quinn’s team despite a big effort could not create the space or chances to really test Budden in the Shelbourne goal.
The evergreen Murray almost made it three for Shelbourne with fifteen minutes remaining. The midfielder who put in a huge shift up top showed brilliant feet to weave her way past Sinnott and on towards goal. The striker directed her effort across goal but Williams was positioned well and sharp enough to recover.
A very impressive display from the current champions as they make the most of their game in hand to join Peamount at the summit.
Wexford Youths: Maeve Williams; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Meabh Russell; Teegan Lynch (Emma Donohoe 72), Kylie Murphy, Nicola Sinnott, Aoibheann Clancy, Ellen Molloy; Becky Watkins, Ciara Rossiter
Shelbourne: Amanda Budden; Chloe Mustaki, Pearl Slattery, Jessica Gargan, Jessie Stapleton; Shane Fox, Rachel Graham, Jess Ziu, Keevan Keenan (Abbie Larkin 76); Saoirse Noonan (Megan Smyth – Lynch 87), Noelle Murray (Gemma Quinn 90).
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Athlone Town moved up to sixth in the league as they edged out DLR Waves in the rescheduled game at the UCD Bowl.
A Niamh Prior own goal midway through the second half proved the distance as the visitors upset a Waves side still on a high following Saturday's win over champions Shelbourne.
A win for Graham Kelly's Waves would have put them within a point of third place but the exertion of two games in four days seemed to have a bigger effect on the home side.
Cork City picked up their second win of the season as doubles from Eva Mangan and Lauren Singleton saw them to a 4-0 win over Treaty United at the Market's Field.
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