WEXFORD YOUTHS CREATED chances aplenty in the second half but were ultimately left to rue a catastrophic opening 20 minutes as they fell 3-0 to Thor in this evening’s Women’s Champions League qualifying round clash.
The Icelandic outfit took the lead at Seaview a mere five minutes after kick-off through skipper Sandra Jessen who supplied the finishing touch on a fine move down Thor’s right-hand side.
Four minutes later, the Icelandic champions doubled their lead as Hulda Björg Hannesdóttir nodded home from a corner.
Another Hulda, this time Oak Jonsdottir, prodded a Stephanie Mayor cross past Wexford ‘keeper Sophie Lenehan on the 19-minute mark to all but end the tie as a contest.
Credit Youths, however, who refused to buckle and grew into the game in spite of their worst possible start.
Stephanie Bukovec denied Rianna Jarrett – the Irish champions’ goalscorer against Ajax on Tuesday – in a one-on-one just after the half-hour. Four minutes before the break, Aisling Frawley fired narrowly over from range after Kylie Murphy did well to regain possession for her side.
Jarrett again went close in the second half, first firing just wide from the edge of the area with 18 minutes remaining, and then being denied once more by the impressive Croatian international Bukovec who foiled the Wexford forward in another one-on-one nine minutes later.
Replacement Katrina Parrock set up Emma Hansberry for a late opportunity inside the area but the Canadian-born Bukovec once more thwarted Youths’ efforts.
The Irish side face Northern neighbours Linfield in their third Champions League qualifier on Monday. Kick-off at the same ground, Seaview in Belfast, is at 4pm.
The full line ups! pic.twitter.com/V5g8QykrOk
— Wexford Youths Women (@YouthsWomen) August 10, 2018
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
