Rangers and Moyne lead way
Wet weather results in second blank Saturday on trot
MORE WET weather finished off the Wexford and District schoolboy soccer fixture slate before it even got going last weekend, with the odd age groups the latest to see their hopes of playing wiped away.
In Under-13 Division 1 it snatched away Gorey Rangers’ hopes of taking over top spot in the table. They are currently level at the summit with Moyne Rangers, while both Forth and Gorey Celtic are just three points away with the same amount of games played.
New Ross clubs, Celtic and Town, sit further back but a run could get them involved in the shake-up.
Wexford Albion are the current favourites to take Division 1A, despite being back in fifth place in the standings. Blackwater and Glynn Barntown lead the way with eleven points from seven games but the rest all have games in hand.
As well as Albion, who are four points back with four games in hand, North End are right there three back with only five played.
Bunclody are the only unbeaten side in Division 2 at the moment and they look like a warm favourite to take the title. Half way through their league fixtures they are three points clear of Oylegate and a further point ahead of Rosslare Rangers, who do have a game in hand. Shamrock Rovers aren’t without hope but they need a big run-in.
With Caim out of the reckoning in Division 2A, things are hotting up. Cloughbawn have a three-point lead with three games to play.
Shelburne are joint second but it’s Corach Ramblers who are in pole position to make a charge. They are also three points behind but do have a game in hand.
New Ross Town ‘B’ are making an impression in Division 3. They are six points clear of Gorey Celtic ‘B’ in the table, with just four games left to play, having won all of their games so far.
Gorey Rangers ‘B’ are in contention too but will need a great run and plenty of luck to nab the title away from the impressive New Ross boys.
While Tombrack and Forth Celtic ‘B’ will still harbour hopes of nipping in and finishing the season in style, realistically, Division 3A looks set to be a battle between Rathnure and Kilmore. The Blackstairs boys currently have the upper hand, leading the table by three points with four games to go.
The final league in the Under-13 age group is Division 4. New Ross Town boast a third team and they aren’t without hope in this league but at the moment Ballagh United and Campile are in better positions. The former lead the way by six points but Campile have two games in hand and five to play altogether.
St. Joseph’s, fresh off their cup win last season, are going for the Under-15 double this term. They are level at the top of the table with talented surprise package Enniscorthy Town.
St. Joseph’s have played just four games so far but that’s still more than fellow contenders Duncannon (two) and North End (one). Suffice to say there’s a long way to go.
Things are a little more evenly set in Division 1A where everyone has either played five or six games.
Wexford Celtic are leading the way with twelve points but Gorey Celtic and St. Leonards are just two points further back. New Ross Town, who are five points behind, shouldn’t be ruled out either.
There are seven teams in Division 2 which means there’s a long stretch ahead. Rosslare Strand are showing impressive form at the moment and have opened up a three-point lead on Enniscorthy side Shamrock Rovers. Corach Ramblers are also a significant threat, trailing by five points with seven games to play.
It’s possible that Kilmore, in Division 2A, will wrap up the title the next time they play. They weren’t scheduled to take to the field last weekend but they sit six points clear of nearest rivals Bunclody with just three games left to play.
Ferns are in third spot and can still nab second place away from Bunclody but can no longer take the title.
In almost as commanding a position are Gorey Rangers ‘B’ in Division 3. They are perfect through six games and with the same amount still to go are six clear of Gorey Celtic ‘B’ with a game in hand. Glynn Barntown are nine points back with the same games played and Tombrack round out the top four.
It will be back to the even age groups this week with young lads around the county hoping for a dry week so they can resume their push for league and cup honours.
With three months of the season left, multiple midweek fixture lists look to be a big possibility if more weekends are lost ahead of April.
REQUEST: Clubs are asked to submit details of their scorers in all divisions to Dean Goodison as soon as possible after matches.
Please text the information to 0879060630, or send an e-mail to deangoodison@hotmail.com
This is part of our plan to further enhance our schoolboys coverage, so clubs’ assistance would be appreciated.