Galway United secured their third win from three games in the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division with a 2-1 victory over Wexford at a sunny Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening.
Phil Trill's side failed to beat the Southeasterners in the League last season, and United were in for a tough battle again, struggling in the first half, and the visitors had two big chances before finally opening the scoring.
From a Wexford cross on the right-hand side after nine minutes, Eve Dossen kicked the ball off her own teammate, Isabella Beletic, which almost ended up in the net, but Amanda McQuillan was sharp between the sticks.
Just before the half-hour mark, a Freya De Manges free kick from just inside the Galway half almost found the net, but a sharp stop from McQuillan kept Galway on terms. However, moments later, a Katie McCarn dink over the top deflected off the head of Dossen, and Megan Smyth Lynch poked it past the outrushing McQuillan.
A penalty shout for Emma Doherty late in the half was as close as Galway came, and went into the break trailing.
United came bursting out of the traps at the start of the second half, however, and it was the captain on the day, Aoibheann Costello, who found the net on 52 minutes after good work from Lucy-Jane Grant and a fine cross from Ceola Bergin down the left-hand side.
Wexford then suffered a crucial blow when Freya De Manges was dismissed for a late challenge on substitute Aoibhinn Donnelly. Phil Trill's side began to smell blood, and Cara Griffin had a shot at the edge of the box on 58 minutes, which was denied by Maria O'Sullivan.
United pushed Wexford hard for the remainder of the game and eventually found a winner through the head of Emma Doherty after an excellent Costello cross from the right-hand side with five minutes remaining.
United held on to secure a third consecutive league victory and turn attention to Saturday's All-Island Cup clash with Peamount United in Terryland at 5 pm.
