After a three week break, the Blues returned to action away to Galway United in Moyne Villa on Saturday evening, with Gary Hunt making five changes to his starting-eleven from our most recent action away to Bohemians last month in the All-Island Cup, with Maeve Williams, Keira Burke, Jess Lawler, Olivia Shannon & Caoimhe Carley all returning to the starting-XI for this trip to Galway.
It wasn’t until the 11th minute before we saw the first chance of the game – coming the way of the hosts. Aoibheann Costello was played in behind the Waterford defence, but her left footed effort couldn’t trouble Maeve Williams stewarding the Blues net.
This opening chance sprung life into the hosts, as Aoibhin Donnelly rattled her effort off Williams’ left-hand post inside the Waterford area.
The first glance on goal the Blues saw come their way fell on the 21st minute, as Olivia Shannon raced through on goal with Galway defender Niamh Cotter, as the Blues number 8 lost possession just as she got into the Galway area.
The hosts controlled possession inside the opening half hour, without troubling Williams in the Waterford goal after Donnelly’s effort off the post, with the Blues back-five working excellently together to frustrate the league leaders.
But that frustration turned to delight for Phil Trill’s side shortly after as Cara Griffin found the top corner of Williams’ goal after reacting quickest to Eve Dossen’s initial cross from the left, as the midfielders first-timed effort flew into the back of the Blues net.
Mia Lenihan saw her own effort blocked on the edge of the Galway are inside the final seven minutes of the first-half, after the Blues did well to earn their first corner of the game moments before.
Into the second-half, Emma Doherty had the first chance on 54′ as her flick on at the front post was caught by Maeve Williams, with the Blues looking to get on the ball instantly to get back into the game.
Maeve Williams was forced to save well from Doherty inside the final twenty minutes, as the hosts looked to extend their advantage but found it difficult to beat the stubborn Blues defence.
As we entered the final ten minutes of action, the Blues were awarded a free-kick from 25 yards out, and up stepped Mia Lenihan as the midfielder rifled her effort direct into the top left-corner in stunning fashion to find the equaliser for the Blues, as the Blues saw out the remaining minutes of action to secure an impressive point on the road in Galway.
Galway United FC: McQuillan (GK); Costello, Grant, Cotter, Dossen; Beletic (62′ Loomes), Thompson, McKey (C) (68′ McGough), Donnelly (81′ Meaney), Griffin; Doherty.
Waterford FC: Williams (GK) (C); K. Burke (81′ Conroy), Doherty, D. Burke, Carley, Atkinson; O’Donoghue (61′ Norris), Lawler (81′ Walsh), Lenihan; Shannon, Egbuloniu.
Attendance: 121.
