Athlone crush Cardiff to set up Croatian clash
UEFA Women’s Champions League first qualifying round
Athlone Town 4 Cardiff City 0
By John Dingle
In the first European game played in the town for over forty years, the Athlone Town women’s team got off to the perfect start in their Champions League campaign.
In what was a totally one-sided encounter in front of 1,916 spectators last Wednesday night, the home team had the tie all but wrapped up by half-time.
Team captain Izzy Groves opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark while a Roisin Molloy double had Athlone in command at the break. An early goal from Hannah Waesch following the resumption of play completed the scoring to ease the Town towards a tie at home to the Croatian champions ZNK Agram in the next round tomorrow (Saturday).
Athlone were on the attack from the first whistle with the apparently vulnerable Cardiff goalkeeper the early target as she palmed away a Madison Gibson cross from the left inside the first minute. The opening corner kick soon followed for the Town with Sarah Rice and Molloy, from a free kick, having early opportunities.
The scoring was opened after 15 minutes. Molloy worked her magic down the right to set up Groves who, from the edge of the penalty area, chipped the ball over Ceryn Chamberlain.
It lifted any tension in the home ranks, but it took until later in the half for the total dominance to be reflected on the scoreboard. Kelly Brady came close to doubling the lead but headed over from Molloy’s right wing cross.
Cardiff had their only chance of the half after 20 minutes when Fiona Barry’s shot was saved by an otherwise redundant Megan Plaschko in the home goal. Two more corners were earned by the Town with Brady narrowly wide as the pressure on the City rearguard continued.
The dominance was finally rewarded after 40 minutes when the lead was doubled. Gibson and Molloy were rampant down the wings and the former’s cross from the left was bundled home from close range by Molloy.
Athlone all but killed off the visitors’ challenge with a third goal after 43 minutes. The danger again came from out wide as this time Shauna Brennan delivered the left wing cross which Molloy headed goalwards, with a Cardiff defender unable to keep the ball out of the net.
There was no further drama in the five additional minutes with Athlone heading off for the break totally deserving of their three-goal advantage. Cardiff had been second best to date and that was not to change when play resumed. Molloy had an early chance to grab her hat-trick but fired over.
It did not take long though for Athlone to score a fourth goal which came after 47 minutes. A corner delivered by Molloy saw Natalie McNally have a header blocked but Waesch followed up to shoot home off the upright.
It surprisingly ended the scoring in the tie with Cardiff never coming close to even grabbing a consolation score. Lily Billingham had the only Cardiff shot in anger which Plaschko easily saved after 65 minutes. Gibson had two chances to find the net before being substituted with her first attempt saved and a second effort going wide.
Athlone manager Colin Fortune used the closing stages to bring on some of his substitutes and gain valuable experience on the European stage.
Local player Hazel Donegan had come on midway through the second half and had a chance to celebrate in the first minute of time added on but saw her shot saved. Another sub Emma Mooney had the last chance deep into stoppage time. The youngster took aim but saw her shot pushed behind at her near post by Chamberlain.
Player of the match: Roisin Molloy (Athlone Town). The Sligo native was unstoppable down the right wing, helping herself to a double in the opening half and coming close to completing a hat-trick.
Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Kellie Brennan, Natalie McNally, Israela Groves, Kelly Brady, Roisin Molloy, Madison Gibson, Hannah Waesch, Sarah Rice. Subs: Kate Slevin and Hazel Donegan for Groves and Brady (68 mins); Emma Mooney for Gibson (73); Isabel Ryan and Aoife Murphy O’Connor for S Brennan and Molloy (83).
Cardiff City: Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Nieve Jenkins, Laura Curnock, Fiona Barry, Kerry Walklett, Shannon Evans, Lily Billingham, Mikayla Cook, Helen Evans. Subs: Mackenzie Olden and Amy Long for Owen and Barry (56 mins); Maddison Perrott for Price (67); Hannah Daley and Megan Bowen for Curnock and H Evans (83).
Referee: Karoline Jensen (Norway).