WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 3rd APRIL 2022

Our WDFL Premier team took on Arklow Celtic at Celtic Park in the Wicklow cup with a place in the quarter finals at stake. Rovers got off to a dream start when Luca Rampersaud pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire home after four minutes. Rovers continued to pressure the Celtic back line, but their defence was strong. Rovers increased their lead when Alan Power floated a ball in from a free kick twenty five yards out to find Jamie Power at the back post and his side footed volley flew past the keeper for a 2-0 lead. Arklow Celtic were the better team for thirty minutes but didn't take their chances, they eventually made one of their chances tell when they scored from a great lob to make it 2-1 which was the half time score. Rovers played better football in the second half, but Arklow continued to put Rovers under pressure. With ten minutes left Jamie Power's cross was met by Riain Sweetman to head home powerfully from six yards. Jamie Power finished Celtic off with the last kick of the game with a beautiful twenty yard lob. Rovers ran out 4-1 winners to book their quarter final spot but credit to Arklow Celtic, they made it tough for Rovers despite the final result. Ian Murphy in the Rovers goal was the Rovers man of the match pulling off several excellent saves at crucial points of the game. The third team are still searching for that elusive second win of the season but unfortunately it didn’t come at the weekend when they went down 4-1 to high flying Shamrock Celtic at Whitegates on Sunday afternoon. Tomas Kennedy scored the Rovers goal for his first of the season.

It was 18's versus 19's at Whitegates on Wednesday night, the last time they met the 18's came out on top and they started this game looking to continue their good form of late which had saw them move into contention for the title. The 18's were on top throughout the first period and went in at the break 1-0 up courtesy of a Luke Dunne strike which they deserved on the balance of play in the first period. If the 18's were on top in the first half, it was the complete opposite in the second with the 19's in total command. The 19's levelled matters from the penalty spot when Conor Leonard coolly dispatched the spot kick into the bottom left hand corner. Shortly after the 19's were reduced to ten men which seemed a little harsh as the game was played in great spirit. It didn't seem to stop the 19's momentum and the game swung on another awarded penalty which Conor Leonard made no mistake to put the 19's 2-1 ahead. The last ten minutes saw the 18’s create a couple of half chances, but they couldn't find a way past a stubborn 19's rear guard as the 19's ran out 2-1 winners. In truth there was nothing between the two teams, the 18’s were the better team in the first half while the 19's dictated play in the second period. The game was played in good spirit and both teams have to be complimented on that, well done to both sets of players. Our under 18’s suffered a bad day at the office at Shamrock Park on Saturday as they went down 4-0 to Rathnew. On the day Rathnew took their chances in the game. It was an evenly matched game, but the home side were the more clinical in front of goal. Rathnew went in 2-0 up at half time and Rovers came back with three clear cut chances, unfortunately they were all missed. Rathnew scored on the break to add two more goals to run out 4-0 winners. It was a good team performance that on another day could have been more productive.

On Thursday night at a freezing cold Whitegates the under 15's entertained Enniskerry. After a five goal thriller the lads were unfortunate to come out the wrong end of a 3-2 score line. The all out attacking football from both sides kept the watching spectators warm on what was more like a winters night. Jack Byrne nabbed one to make it four goals in four games with Jack Neville firing home his second of the season. On Saturday the under 12A’s maintained their unbeaten start to the season with an excellent 5-2 away win over St Anthonys at Finn Park. It was a five star performance from the whole squad, Milo Malcolmson found the net for the third time in four games, Sam Conyard and Tiernan Shortall netted their second goals of the campaign. Ryan Cox registered his first of the season with the fifth coming in the shape of an own goal in what was a good all round team performance. The under 14’s are another team who maintained their unbeaten start with a very impressive 5-0 away win over Roundwood. Rovers were happy with three points and a clean sheet from this game. Ronan Phelan doubled his tally for the season with a well taken brace, Matthew Shevlin and Naoise O'Dubhslaine both notched their first goals of the campaign with the fifth coming through an unfortunate own goal. This was a clinical performance from the lads. On Sunday the 13B’s saw their winning run come to an end when they were defeated 5-2 by Avonmore, they had a nightmare start going 2-0 down early in play. Rovers pulled one back before the break when Sam Conyard hit the back of the net. Avonmore went 3-1 up early in the second period but the Rovers team pulled it back to 3-2 soon after with a fine finish from Milo Malcolmson. Rovers pushed for an equaliser and created several good chances but then got hit on the break when the away side nabbed number. Avonmore added a fifth in the last few minutes to put the game to bed. Rovers performed well on the day, just didn’t take their chances when they came their way.