CLUB CALL
WICKLOW ROVERS
The senior men welcomed league leaders Trinity Donaghmede to Whitegates last Friday night.
The lads were looking to close the gap on the leaders by claiming all three points and that’s exactly what they did when they recorded a super 5-1 win.
The lads fell behind after only nine minutes when the visitor’s centre forward tucked the ball away.
But Rovers are playing with a lot of confidence this season and they showed that by levelling shortly afterwards.
A Luke Byrne corner was dispatched to the net by the head of Lenny Carton to make it 1-1.
The remainder of the half saw Rovers control the game without really threatening the visitor’s keeper. The lads did have a penalty claim waved away by the referee.
The second half started with Rovers on the front foot and they were nearly rewarded when Gareth Murphy glanced an Adam Cox corner just wide. Rovers were dictating the play and it was no surprise when they took a deserved lead, yet another excellent delivery from a Luke Byrne corner was met by Tommy Kelly who sweetly struck a left foot shot to make it 2-1 to Rovers with his third goal in as many games.
The game went through a scrappy ten minute patch at the midway point of the half with neither side really having a chance of note.
The lads did have a purple patch in the last 15 minutes when they fired home three more goals.
First it was Ciaran McGettigan who pounced on a breaking ball to slot home after some excellent work from Gareth Murphy.
Soon after it was 4-1, McGettigan who was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors all night superbly rounded the centre half before clinically finishing for his second of the game and his twelfth of the season. Peter Finnegan put the icing on the cake in injury time when he neatly tucked the ball away from the edge of the area to give the lads an excellent 5-1 victory against the league leaders.
This win moves the lads into third place in the league standings and puts them in great heart going into their big Leinster Junior Cup game next Friday night against Ayrfield United in Whitegates.
The U17As went down to a 6-0 defeat to a very strong Avonmore side in Rathdrum on Saturday.
Even though the home side dictated the play the lads never gave up and battled right up to the final whistle.
The U17Bs recorded an excellent 5-1 home win over Aughrim Rangers, Nathan Wynne fired home his seventh of the season and there were firsts of the season for Jack O’Gorman, Jaafer Ali and Conor Collier with the fifth coming in the shape of an own goal.
Our Last Man Standing competition is back, our second competition of the season starts on the weekend of February 10 (this Saturday), if you are interested in taking part and putting your knowledge of the Premiership to the test against other players in pursuit of the €500 prize you can contact Charlie Mitchell 086-3838362, Johnny Dunne 087-7802098, Jimmy Nolan 087-9108706, any committee member, any club member or contact us on our Facebook page.
The entry fee to take part in the competition is €10, please if you are taking part get your name in as early as possible as fixtures need to be sent out to participants.
Fixtures will only be sent out to people who have registered for the competition so if you’re not registered and you want to take part please don’t leave it to the last minute, thank you.
The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coach Johnny Dunne. The academy takes places on the all-weather pitch on the club grounds at Whitegates and is open to all kids from the age of three years to eight years.
The academy starts at 11am and finishes at noon. 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 organized league football in the coming years.
Anyone with information for the club notes or the club website can contact me at 087 9108706 or e-mail me at jimmy.nolan09@ hotmail.com
For all news regarding the club, check out the club website at www. wicklowrovers.com or the club’s Facebook page.
BRAY WANDERERS
Lotto draw - There was no jackpot winner on February 4. Numbers drawn were 5, 14, 23 and 30. €30 lucky dip winners were Breda Mulhall c/o Hibo, Aaron Kenny c/o Stephen McGuire, Gillian Walsh c/o V. Walsh, Car- oline Doyle c/o V. Walsh, Aaron Kenny c/o Stephen McGuire. Next jackpot is €8275.
Season tickets – Bray Wanderers 2018 season tickets are now on sale from our online store. This season will see the introduction of excellent value family season tickets alongside regular season tickets.
Those under the age of fourteen will now come under the child category. Prices for the 2018 season are: Adults €210, Student / Concession €130, Family Season Tickets are 1 Adult & 2 Children €210, 1 Senior Citizen & 2 Children €130, 2 Adults and 4 Children €420, Season tickets are valid for all home league games and pre-season friendlies.
Tickets can be ordered on line at www.braywanderersfc.ie/ tickets. Bray Wanderers begin their league season with an away game against Dundalk on Friday 16th February. The first home league game of the season is on Friday 23rd February against St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Supporters bus to Dundalk – The Supporters bus to Dundalk on Friday February 16 will depart from the Carlisle Grounds at 4.30pm. There will be pick-ups in Shankill and the 3Arena. Prices are €15 Adults, €10 Students. €7 Child (under 16). To book a seat please call or text 087 996 8969.
For all the latest club news visit our website www.braywanderersfc.ie.