Youghal U-12s girls soccer team won their first 3 points away to Riverstown on Saturday in a tense and exciting encounter.

Youghal started very brightly and within 3 minutes a brilliant move between Amy Benaim and Holly Twomey almost opened the scoring. Weaving between the Riverstown defence, Amy and Holly played a series of quick one-twos only to see the keeper save Holly’s effort. Riverstown were taking time to settle and when Holly Twomey broke through she looked certain to score. The forward watched her effort roll past the post and it looked like it might be one of those days. Youghal kept up the pressure and were well on top. Lynda Galvin picked up a great position in the box and when the ball broke to her she finished coolly to put the visitors 1-0 up. Riverstown finally grew in confidence and breached a strong Youghal defence, led by Sarah Roche, when the excellent Amy O’ Lehane dribbled the ball into the box and equalised for the home side: 1-1.  The game swung back in Youghal’s favour only 5 minutes later when hesitation in the Riverstown area was ceased upon by Holly Twomey and the number 9 was never going to miss from six yards. Youghal went into the break leading 2-1. Riverstown were expected to increase the pressure in the second half playing with a slight hill. However, Louise Dempsey, Sarah Roche, Jennifer Geary and Catriona Savage showed that they are growing as a strong unit and repelled Riverstown’s efforts. Aoife O’ Sullivan and Amy Benaim were outstanding on the flanks for Youghal. Their efforts allowed Holly Twomey to score her second and Youghal’s third.

The in-form striker turned beautifully at the edge of the area and pushed the ball into space. Too quick for her rivals she slid the ball home: 3-1. the goal affected Riverstown and Holly Twomey saved the best for last when she chased back, stole the ball from a midfielder and outran 4 defenders to complete her hat-trick with a trademark finish to the corner. With Youghal looking very comfortable at 4-1 they relaxed and allowed Riverstown back into the game. Riverstown’s number 8 Amy O’ Lehane was proving a handfull and scored twice with two fine individual goals to secure her hat-trick. At 4-3 Youghal started to look uneasy.

Riverstown came very close on two occasions to leveling the score. However, Jennifer Geary closed down Amy O’ Lehane brilliantly and Youghal came back into the game. Aoife O’ Sullivan almost scored in the dying minutes after a great run on the right. The final whistle was very welcome. The girls now have their first win and Coach, Rose Sheehan expressed relief and joy at the result. “I was very proud of them. I thought we were going to throw it away but they all worked really hard at the end to get the win,” she said. After two games Holly Twomey now has 7 goals and the captain said the win will galvanise the team. “A win always gives a team confidence and this is a great boost for us,” she said. A great performance then but still lots to do for the young side. Holly Twomey takes the plaudits for her second hat-trick of the campaign but every player ran their hearts out for this well deserved if slightly nervous victory.