WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 19th SEPTEMBER 2021
An understrength Leinster Senior side lost 2-1 away to Kilbarrack Utd in the first round of the Leinster Junior Cup on Saturday. In what was a very competitive performance from the lads they were a bit unlucky against a strong home side. Kilbarrack went in front on eight minutes, but the lads battled back when Sam Brown coolly finished after twenty two minutes to level things up. Rovers were on top in the second period and created several good chances, unfortunately the lads got caught on the break with the home team scoring against the run of play with eight minutes remaining. The home keeper pulled off a magnificent save from Sam Brown in the dying seconds to prevent extra time. On the day the whole Rovers team battled well with Mick Delaney, Sam Brown, Davy Rowan, Rikki Quinn and Jim Foley coming in for a special mention. Our WDFL team progressed to round two of the Leinster Junior cup with a 3-2 home victory over Bay FC from Dundalk on Sunday afternoon. James Lang put Rovers in front after fifteen minutes before the away side drew level six minutes before the break. Rovers got off to a dream start eight minutes into the second period when Dylan Frazer fired home at the second attempt. Rovers had several chances to put the game to bed but didn’t take them and it was from one of those missed chances that the away team broke upfield to level for a second time. Just when extra time was beckoning Luca Rampersaud who was sprung from the bench minutes earlier raced onto a through ball, rounded the keeper and blasted to the net for what proved to be the winner. On the day Alan Power and James Lang were industrious in a workman like performance.
Our under 18’s got their season off to a winning start away to Coolboy Rangers on Saturday, always a tough place to get a result this proved to be a fantastic win. Rovers won a corner on the half hour mark, the resulting corner broke to Rory Hannon on the edge of the area and he volleyed to the roof of the net for what proved to be the only goal of the game. Great win for the lads with keeper Alex Higgins impressing to keep a clean sheet in a good team performance. On Sunday the under 18 girls were involved in a nine goal thriller with Greystones at Woodlands, the girls led 4-2 before Greystones made a stunning come back to score three unanswered goals to run out 5-4 winners. The girls will feel they let this one slip but its on to the next game now. Molly Sweeney achieved an amazing solo goalscoring feat by firing home all four Rovers goals.
This week's junior action kicked off on Saturday, the 12 greens were held to a 1-1 draw by St Patricks at Whitegates. The lads rued several missed chances that could have saw them claim all three points. Liam Cawley nabbed the Rovers goal for his eighth of the season. The 12 whites have been searching for their first win and it finally came on Saturday when they turned on the style winning 9-0 at home to Enniskerry. This was a clinical display from this young team, Aiden Kelly and Charlie Gavin were on fire in front of goal with both players plundering hat-tricks. Max Tkac-Sado, Abdul Alhamad and Borja Garcia all added singles in a fantastic all round team performance. The 14A's drew 1-1 with St Anthonys at Whitegates, in a tight tense encounter a share of the spoils was probably a fair outcome as both sides had chances to win, Jack Neville brought his tally for the season to eight when he netted the Rovers goal. The 14B’s put in an impressive away display when they defeated Glencormac United at Ryders Field. Every player on the team played their part in a superb team display. Adam O’Brien fired home an excellent hat-trick with Jack Lambe netting the other. On Sunday the 13A’s lost out narrowly to local neighbours Ashford Rovers. In a tight encounter it was the Rovers of Ashford who edged the game, but the lads will feel a little unlucky not to get at least a share of the spoils. Shane O’Reilly scored from a free kick just outside the area for his fourth of the season. The under 15’s were involved in a six goal thriller away to Shillelagh, both teams took home a point a piece in a thrilling 3-3 draw in what was a great advert for the game of football. Lorcan Sinnott took his tally for the season to eleven with a brace while Harri Armstrong fired home his fifth of the campaign in a good all round team performance. This result was good enough to see the lads finish top.
The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne, Stephen Clarke and Jimmy Nolan. The academy takes place on the club grounds at Whitegates and is open to all kids from the age of 3 years to 8 years. The academy starts at 11 o’clock and finishes at 12. There is no need for registration so you can come along to any week that suits. Come along and learn the skills of football while having fun and enjoyment, it’s a great way of meeting new friends as you learn the skills as you get prepared for the introduction to participate in organised league football in the coming years.
Anyone with anything for our club notes, Facebook page or our club website can contact me by email at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com or by text to 087-9108706 . For all news regarding the club, check out our club website at www.wicklowrovers.com or the club facebook page.
