So Fresh Entertainment women’s Division
Sallins Celtic FC 4 Clane United FC 1
A solid performance today from Sallins Celtic saw them overcome a Clane Unites side who will rue their missed opportunities. The game itself was almost postponed due to thunder storms however they abated in time for kick off. It was the visitors who took the early initiative but could not convert their early chances. The home side settled, and the impressive Sofia Di Stefano broke the deadlock with a composed finish with her left foot after fifteen minutes. Sallins were encouraged by this early lead and took the game to the visitors in search of a second.
That was soon to come as five minutes later with the goal of the game from the youthful Emma Mooney who hit a rocket of a shot first time following a cross from Di Stefano to double the home side’s advantage. Clane were by no means about to give up the ghost and some great work in midfield from Rebecca Philips created some changes for the Clane front runners however a combination of good defending and poor finishing saw Sallions maintain their two goal advantage. At the other end Sallin’s Violet Moloney was keeping the Clane defence busy with her mazy runs. It was the home side who finished the half stronger and added a third just before half time when Sofia DiStefano scored her second and her side’s third to see Sallins go in 3-0 to the good at the break.
The second half kicked off with Clane really putting it up to Sallins yet the defence of Lucy Cahill, Katie O'Connor, Aoife Hand and Sophie Lawlor held strong. The back 4 showing their class with composed defending were often the start of dangerous attacks for Sallins. Clane finally got their just reward for continuous pressure from Sarah McNeill and Heather Maher when McNeill scored a beautifully taken shot. That score heated up the second and it was Sallins who rose to the challenge, a super strike from left back Sophie Lawlor making it 4-1 to Sallins on the hour. Sallins had a number of star players including a massive shift put in by Lia Reilly and Isabella Campion in midfield who were excellent. Sallin’s Becky Breen was a star in goals especially with her distribution which set the tempo for a composed class performance by the home side. Best for the winners were DiStefano and keeper Becca Breen. Best for Clane was Rebecca Philips.