WEXFORD YOUTH Women bounced back from last week's defeat to Cork when making the long journey to third-placed Castlebar Celtic and coming away with all three points after a dramatic seven-goal thriller in the Bus Eireann Women's National League on Sunday last.

The Slaneysiders started in lively manner and showed their intentions early on when Maria Delahunty linked up well with Cherelle Khassal to bring a good save from Aisling Concannon after just three minutes. A minute later, Delahunty once again put the ball into the Castlebar area where Brianne O'connor was on hand to tap the ball into the corner of the net.

The home side had beaten high-flying Raheny a week earlier and soon realised they were in a game as they came on the attack, bringing a good save from Charlotte Mccormack. Minutes later Nikki Dunphy was called on to head the ball off the line.

Cherelle Khassal was causing havoc in the Castlebar defence and on eleven minutes, Linda Douglas put through a perfectly-angled pass for Khassal to run on to and slot past the 'keeper for a 2-0 lead.

Wexford sat back a little at this point and allowed the home team to press forward and on 22 minutes, they were rewarded when Susan Cunningham was on hand to knock the ball into the net after Emma Mullins' shot had rebounded off the post.

The visitors reacted in the ideal manner and went on the immediate attack, and Cherelle Khassal closed down a Jennifer Byrne clearance and broke through to calmly slot the ball underneath the advancing 'keeper. Brianne O'connor picked up a knock just before the break and had to be replaced by Rachel Hutchinson, with Jessica Gleeson unlucky not to increase the Wexford advantage when her well-struck free kick flashed past the post.

The second-half saw Wexford start the best, but it was Castlebar who scored after seven minutes when Avril Kilkelly sent a well-struck longrange effort to the roof of the net. Once again Wexford reacted well and Kylie Murphy and Khassal both went close to restoring the two-goal advanatage.

Edel Kennedy replaced Linda Douglas, who had worked tirelessly for 70 minutes, and she made an immediate impact in midfield by using her physical strength to create a couple of chances for Khassal and also saw her own effort go the wrong side of the post.

The Mayo girls were battling hard in search of an equaliser and, with six minutes to go, Avril Kilkelly struck her second goal when her curling shot went all the way to the back of the net to tie up the match at 3-3.

Once again Wexford showed their now-famous character and instead of sitting back and settling for a point, they went on the attack. A delicate chip from Edel Kennedy put Kylie Murphy, who had more time than she realised, through, and her hurried shot went over the crossbar.

As the game moved into injury time, a point looked the most likely result until on the 93rd minute, Edel Kennedy slotted the ball through for Cherelle Khassal whose shot was saved by the 'keeper but broke back to Kennedy who slotted the ball into the net.

Wexford dominated the remaining five minutes of injury time and Rachel Hutchinson was unlucky not to wrap up the points when her shot grazed the post. Laura Heffernan came on for Kylie Murphy in the dying minutes before the referee eventually blew the final whistle after eight minutes of injury time.