Wales hopes of a place at Euro 2025 remain intact following a 1-1 draw with Ireland in the first leg of their play-off final at The Cardiff City Stadium.
Defender Lily Woodham gave the home side the lead with a well taken strike before an own goal from goalkeeper Olivia Clark means Wales travel to Ireland on Tuesday night with it still all to play for.
The game was played in front of a record crowd of 16,845, the largest attendance for a women’s fixture in Wales.
It was a bright start from Wales as they looked to play out of the back against an aggressive Irish press. The visitors did catch them in their own half on a few occasions leading to some half chances that they were unable to capitalise on.
It was the hosts who struck first however after finally breaking beyond the Ireland defence. Jess Fishlock with a great run down the right-hand side finding space to deliver a dangerous ball that was miss-kicked by Niamh Fahey allowing Lily Woodham to prod home at the back post in the 21st minute.
Despite pressure from the away side it looked like the Welsh defence were holding strong, but their efforts were thwarted in the 35th minute when Ruesha Littlejohn’s long range effort caught Olivia Clark off guard.
Clark managed to tip the effort onto the crossbar whilst scrambling back towards goal but her efforts were in vain as the ball cruelly rebounded off the keeper and into her own net leaving both sides level heading into the break.
Rhian Wilkinson’s side began to build in confidence early in the second half having a succession of chances at goal. The closest came from substitute Carrie Jones who’s curling effort from the edge of the area forced Courtney Brosnan into a strong save.
Tempers began to flare as Jess Fishlock and Ruesha Littlejohn were both shown the first yellow cards of the game following an altercation after Littlejohn was penalised for a dangerous elbow.
Clark was called into action for the first time in the second half tipping over a powerful volley from Caitlin Hayes from just inside the area. The FC Twente shot-stopper done well to push the effort over the crossbar in what was the most dangerous attack from the visitors in the second period.
In the final threatening attack of the game it was the home side who came close to a winning goal as a dangerous cross from Kayleigh Barton almost found the head of Jones but she was unable to guide it goal wards.
Neither side could find a goal to take a lead into Tuesday nights decider as the full-time whistle blew at The Cardiff City Stadium. The second-leg will be Tuesday night with kick-off 7.30pm at the Dublin Arena.
Wales
Olivia Clark (GK), Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham (Charlie Escort 88′), Ceri Holland (Josephine Green 80′) , Angharad James (C), Alice Griffiths (Carrie Jones 46′), Rachel Rowe, Ffion Morgan (Kayleigh Barton 70′), Jess Fishlock.
Goals: Lily Woodham 21′
Yellow cards: Jess Fishlock 70′ Rachel Rowe 81′
Ireland
Ireland: Courtney Brosnan (GK), Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Niamh Fahey, Katie McCabe (C), Heather Payne, Lily Agg (Marissa Sheva 46′), Ruesha Littlejohn (Jessie Stapleton 79′), Denise O’Sullivan, Julie Russell (Leanne Kiernan 79′), Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 88′).
Goals: Olivia Clark 35′
Yellow cards: Ruesha Littlejohn 70′
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