WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 21st NOVEMBER 2021
Our WDFL team took on Glynn Barntown in the second round of the Leinster Junior Cup at Whitegates on Friday night. It proved to be a tight game played in a good spirit. It was the away team who got off to a flyer when they capitalised on a defensive mix up to nip in and score to go one up after five minutes. Rovers levelled matters from a coolly dispatched spot kick from Simon Phillips on thirty one minutes. The sides went in at the break all square and the second half saw these two evenly matched teams create the chances but failed to finish. Ian Murphy in the Rovers goal pulled off two superb saves to keep his team in the game. Extra time failed to separate the teams so it was on to the dreaded penalty shootout to sort this one out, unfortunately for the lads the Wexford side ran out 4-3 winners in the shootout. Ian Murphy was the Rovers man of the match on the night with two magnificent saves in the ninety minutes, another superb save in extra time and a fantastic save in the shootout. Our Leinster Senior team’s game at home to UCD was called off, the under 18 girls match away to Granada was also off while the third team and two youths teams had no scheduled fixtures.
On Tuesday night the under 15 team were involved in a thriller with Shillelagh drawing 2-2 at Whitegates, Jack Macklin put Rovers in front with his third goal of the season before the visitors levelled with a thirty yard screamer. Rovers pushed for a winner and had numerous chances but got caught on the break as Shillelagh went in front two minutes from time. Not to be outdone Rovers nabbed a deserved equaliser when Daniel Kavanagh nabbed his fifth of the campaign in the last minute to earn Rovers a point in a very good team display. On Saturday the under 12B’s continued their great form of late with a good solid 2-0 away win over Arklow United. Bruno Tejada brought his tally to eleven with a single while Max Sado nabbed his fourth of the campaign in a very good team performance. Our under 14A's took on St Anthonys at Celtic Park in Arklow in the division 1 title playoff. Unfortunately for the lads they went down to a 2-0 defeat. There was nothing between the two teams for long periods and when the chances were presented it was the Kilcoole based side who were the more clinical in front of goal. Hard luck to Keith and his squad, you gave it a good go.
On Sunday the 13A’s recorded a fantastic 5-1 away win over St Patricks, Sean Patrick Guerin led the way putting in a superb captain’s performance and topping it off with a goal. Naoise Delaney fired home a brace to make it twenty one for the season, Josh McCall hit number fourteen of the campaign for him with a fourth of the season for Ronan Phelan capping off a magnificent team display. The under 15’s travelled to Allen Park where they defeated Aughrim Rangers 5-1. Lorcan Sinnott produced an excellent display of finishing when he fired home his second hat-trick of the season to bring his tally to eighteen. Charlie Czwalina moved on to sixteen for the campaign with a single with Alex Earls completing the scoring with his third of the season.
With Christmas only around the corner why not purchase some club gear as a stocking filler, if anyone is looking to purchase club gear it can be done online by visiting www.wicklowroversclubshop.com So if it’s socks and shorts, a polo shirt, rain jacket, coaches jacket, etc or something small like a beanie hat, water bottle, face masks, etc just visit the club shop or contact Colin Hindle at wrafcshop@gmail.com or by text at 087-1278510 . Also, if you want to give someone a present for Christmas but don’t know what to buy you can purchase a club voucher, all club items will come with the club crest.
A reminder that tickets are still on sale for the December 50/50 draw, tickets remain on sale up till midnight on Tuesday 30th November with the draw been posted live on our club Facebook page at 8pm on Tuesday 7th December. The name drawn from the drum is guaranteed 50% of what is taken in on ticket sales while also going forward for the chance of winning the bonus ball jackpot which now stands at €1800 in the main draw in the National Lottery the night [Wednesday 8th December]] after the draw. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wicklowroversclubshop.com or from any committee member or club member.
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.
