A late Amanda Smith strike in injury time last Saturday kept Galway United Women in touch with the top of the table. It sets up an intriguing encounter with Treaty United on Saturday in Limerick.
Treaty come into the game after a good run of their own, with an impressive 1-0 win against Wexford coming on the back of progression in the FAI Cup. The other important result on Saturday was the clash at the top of the table. The win for Athlone will be welcomed by the chasing pack as it means the gap to overhaul reduces.
United are now seven points off the top with as many games remaining but sit in fourth, with Wexford and Shels in between them and top spot.
It is not impossible, but United would nearly need to win out and hope for favours for them to have any chance at the ultimate honours. They have the benefit of having played Athlone twice and at least face Shels, against whom they have struggled, at home next time out.
It is fair to say that if they win on Saturday, that game in Galway takes on a bigger significance. The side seems to be up for the challenge. They kept trying when things didn’t appear in their favour last week. Rachael Kelly was in inspired form in the Bohemians’ goal.
Before her heroics, they were undone by a wonderful pass from Hannah Healy and a beautiful finish by Hannah O’Brien which meant they were always chasing the game. They did so valiantly.
Kelly made a great save from Emma Doherty’s penalty before half-time. After the break, Jamie Erickson brought a deserved parity with a strong header. Ceola Bergin was denied by the bar after a lovely chip. Doherty was denied twice before in the dying embers, Kate Thompson showed skill and Smith showed remarkable composure to win it at the death.
It was a reminder of the enduring spirit of the group. They only used 12 players last time out and might need to tap into that defiance again this Saturday.
They struggled in the last couple of encounters with Treaty, a 3-1 loss in May capped a disappointing month. There is a strong international flavour to their opponents. The team that beat Wexford featured six different nationalities.
The emphasis Treaty’s new ownership group has placed on women’s football, and the inclusion of these imported stars should help to elevate standards. In the short-term, it will give Galway United another good barometer of where they are and how high they can dream for this season and beyond.
