Wales complete their UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 qualifying campaign with two home fixtures against Israel (15 September) and Austria (20 September), and with both games being played at Rodney Parade, this friendly against the Republic of Ireland offered an ideal opportunity for the side to get used their Newport surroundings.
Speaking to FAWTV before the match, Jessica Fishlock emphasised that friendlies such as this were more about the performance than the result, and manager Jayne Ludlow can take plenty of positives from the way her side caused problems for the Irish defence in the second half.
However, it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, and tested the Wales defence with an early free-kick on the edge of the area and a corner as they looked to gain the early advantage. Wales quickly settled into the match, and with both sides looking to play the ball on the floor, it made for an entertaining affair. Kayleigh Green had Wales’ best opportunity on 16 minutes, but couldn’t direct her effort on target after finding herself in space on the edge of the area. Wales visibly grew in confidence as the half progressed, with Natasha Harding and Melissa Fletcher regularly switching flanks to cause problems for the Irish defence.
The visitors pushed forward in numbers with Leanne Kiernan leading the front-line, but she was well-marshalled by Kylie Davies in the centre of the Wales defence, and the duo became a bit too close on 27 minutes when an accidental clash of heads left both players needing treatment, and eventually forced Kiernan to leave the field.
The Republic of Ireland included Stephanie Roche in their starting line-up, the striker who made headlines around the world in 2014 when she was runner-up in 2014 FIFA Puskas Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, and she showed her quality from the resulting free-kick that forced Wales goalkeeper Claire Skinner to be at her best to turn the ball around the post.
Without Kiernan leading their attack, the Republic of Ireland lacked the attacking edge that had caused Wales early problems, and Wales finished the half as the stronger of the two teams but could not find a way past Grace Moloney in the visitors goal as the two sides went into the break level at 0-0.
Kylie Davies and Melissa Fletcher were both replaced at the break, with Hayley Ladd slotting into the centre of defence and Helen Ward taking up an attacking role on the left, and it proved to be an inspired change as Wales dominated the early part of the second half.
Jess Fishlock had the best chance of the match after 55 minutes but her superbly-struck free-kick rebounded off the post having beaten Grace Moloney in the Irish goal as Wales looked to make their superiority count.
On 66 minutes the ball was in the back of the Irish net, but Kayleigh Green was denied her moment of glory as the assistant signalled for offside.
Both sides made changes as the half progressed, but as the scoreline remained blank, Wales were becoming increasingly frustrated and were left to reflect on what might have been as referee Gavin Townsend eventually brought the match to a close.
Wales: Skinner (GK), Roberts, Evans, James, Ingle (c), Davies, Harding, Rowe, Green, Fishlock, Fletcher. Subs: O’Sullivan (GK), Jones, Ladd, Dykes, Lawrence, Ward, Estcourt, Lloyd.
Republic of Ireland: G.Moloney (GK), Perry, Duggan (c), Berrill, Kiernan, Russell, Roche, McCabe, Deburca, Ruddy, Beckett. Subs: Kavanagh, Barrett, Fox, McLaughlin, Doyle, Noonan, Reid-Burke, Prior, Murray, C.Moloney.
Source / photo – faw.cymru
