WNL: City 2-2 Athlone

Cork City and Athlone Town played out a 2-2 draw at Turners Cross on Saturday 17^th of July in their latest SSE Airtricity Women’s National League game.

It was a quiet opening to the game with both sides having attacks without really threatening either goal with a real chance. Athlone took the lead in the 21^st minute as a mix-up at the back allowed Melissa O’Kane in to slot into an empty net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

City got more on the offensive and finally struck back in the 34^th minute as a Sarah McKevitt put a cross into the Athlone penalty area, the ball was cleared but fell to an onrushing Eabha O’Mahony who struck it home with a powerful strike from the edge of the box making it 1-1 into the half time break.

Athlone started the stronger in the second half an retook the lead in the 55^th minute after a dangerous ball into the box by Athlone and a scramble for the ball where Roisin Molloy managed to come out on top and strike it home from close range to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

City pushed for an equaliser but struggled to create much in the way of direct chances with the closest coming in the 71^st minute as Sophie Liston made a good run down the right wing and sent a cross for Sarah McKevitt whose effort was blocked and cleared by a stubborn Athlone defence.

City finally got their chance in injury time as Lauren Egbuloniu made a powerful run down the right wing and put the ball into the penalty area where second half substitute Christina Dring got on the end of it and forced it home to make it 2-2 at full time.

Next up for City is a trip to Ferrycarrig Park as they play Wexford Youths WFC in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League next Saturday 24^th of July with a 6.30 pm kick off.

Cork City: Abby McCarthy, Leah Murphy, Lauren Walsh, Ciara McNamara, Shaunagh McCarthy (Lauren Singleton), Eabha O’Mahony, Becky Cassin (Kate O’Donovan 82’) Sophie Liston (Laura Shine) Eva Mangan (Christina Dring) Sarah McKevitt, Lauren Egbuloniu