Wexford Youths get off to winning start in Europe

Gintra-Universitetas 0 Wexford Youths 1: Jess Gleeson got Wexford Youths off to a winning start in their Uefa Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round group against Gintra-Universitetas in Kleczew, Poland, yesterday.

Lithuanian side Gintra are top seeds in the group so this victory, thanks to Jess Gleeson’s 67th-minute free-kick goal, puts Will Doyle’s side in pole position with fixtures to come against hosts Medyk Konin tomorrow and Welsh outfit Cardiff Met on Sunday.

Wexford keeper Mary Rose Kelly was called into action in the 12th minute when she denied Ana Alekperova twice in quick succession. Gintra keeper Greta Kaselyt?e was tested by Claire O’Riordan in the 31st minute and made a solid save. Nine minutes later the same two players were involved once more with the Lithuanian keeper coming out on top again.

Wexford took the lead through Jess Gleeson’s long-range free-kick in the 67th minute after Carol Breen had been fouled 35 yards from the Gintra goal.

“It was a fantastic result. We did well but they were very good too. It was a 50-50 game but we got the breaks,” said coach Will Doyle.

“We’re delighted we got the win. We would have settled for a draw but we’re delighted with the three points on a very warm day which was a test for our players.”

GINTRA:

Kaselyte, Mikutaite, Laetitia, Neverdauskaite, Velicaite, Zubchyk, Alekperova, Akaffou, Nguessan, Elloh, Imanalijeva (Gaileviciute 84).

WEXFORD YOUTHS:

Kelly, Gleeson, Kennedy, Rossiter, Sinnott, Murphy (Fahy 62), Hansberry, Frawley (Wall 83), Douglas, O’ Riordan (Cassin 78), Breen.