Enniscorthy 6
Genesis 0

A frosty morning across the country led to some early matches being cancelled, but Enniscorthy’s ladies first eleven encounter with Genesis on Saturday in Leinster Division 6 got the go-ahead from the umpires at the Astro Active Centre. The conditions clearly suited the Slaneysiders, with the hosts winning 6-0 to remain top of the table.

Quarter 1 began with Enniscorthy launching some early, fast attacks. Great attacking play up the wings from left and right backs Aoife Mahon and Leah Chapman ensured the pressure was put on the Genesis defence from an early stage. Four minutes in their attacking play was rewarded with Ciara Kelly making no mistake in burying the ball into the net thanks to a well-worked one-two set-piece move between Kelly and Niamh Ogilvie. The Slaneysiders continued to pour forward, attacking play up the centre by Laura Smith linking up well with lively forwards
May Wickham and Leah Kidd creating havoc amongst the Genesis defence. After 16 minutes Deané Lodewyks took advantage of that confusion neatly slotting the ball into the goal from a reverse stick sweep.

The second quarter began with a fiery Genesis side fighting hard and applying pressure to the Enniscorthy defence. The visitors high press put pressure on the Enniscorthy hit-outs, making it difficult for the home midfielders to get on the ball to create attacks. As a result of their pressure, they were rewarded with a penalty corner but Norah McGinty was in the right place to make a vital save; from there a counter-attack was launched by the Enniscorthy with Rebecca Ogilvie receiving the ball and passing out wide to Deané Lodewyks who once again attacked the Genesis circle. Enniscorthy finally settled down and began dealing with Genesis pressure, creating further attacks of their own enabling Ciara Kelly to bag her second goal of the match. The goal came about through excellent out letting through captain Julie Watchorn and vice-captain Laura Smith, who found Leah Chapman on the left who linked up well with Niamh Ogilvie in the middle who gave a pinpoint ball out to the right for Ciara Kelly to run on to in the circle giving the Genesis goalkeeper no chance.

Quarters 3 and 4 were where player of the match Leah Kidd really shone, getting herself a hat trick. Her first goal came about by Niamh Ogilvie receiving a ball in the centre and sending it through to Kidd, who then beat a defender and then cooly and calmly also beating the Genesis keeper. Her second came as a result of Niamh Rochford and Martha Dunne applying excellent pressure on the Genesis hit-outs forcing an error. The ball, along with many players were roaming around deep in the Genesis circle where Kidd found it and pushed it into the goal. Her final goal was well worked further out the pitch by Aine O’Brien passing the ball up the line to Kelly who found Kidd in the circle where she secured the hat trick.

Towards the end of the final quarter, a spirited Genesis continued to attack but a solid Enniscorthy performance enabled them to win 6-0 and remain 5 points clear at the top of the table, thanks to the cancellation of Our Lady’s versus Trinity College.

Squad: Norah McGinty, Laura Smith, Julie Watchorn, Aoife Mahon, Leah Chapman, Rebecca Ogilvie, Niamh Ogilvie, Ciara Kelly, Deané Lodewyks, Martha Dunne, Leah Kidd, Niamh Rochford, May Wickham