Arklow seal the deal
United beat Wicklow Town to clinch Division 3 crown
ARKLOW UNITED WICKLOW TOWN 1 0
ARKLOW United sealed the Division 3 league title on Sunday with an impressive display against Wicklow Town at Ferndale Park with a 1-0 victory.
Wicklow Town went into the game knowing that only a victory could prevent United from snatching the league title away from them as United needed just a point to be crowned champions.
Arklow United were the favourites going into the game as they had performed incredibly throughout the season but it was the away side that started the better of the two sides.
Wicklow Town were unlucky not to get the opening goal of the game with just two minutes played.
Paddy Murphy, who was menacing all game, got into a great position to be picked out by JJ Power but his volley went inches over the bar, Town were unlucky not to get off to the perfect start.
Wicklow Town started to dominate possession early in the first half and looked as if they were more up for the game than their opponents.
The travelling side were putting together some great passages of play but fortunately for the United defence they had little quality infront of goal to test keeper Dean Hayes.
United were dealt a huge blow as their central midfielder Michael Wolohan, who had been instrumental to United’s midfield all season, limped off after 18 minutes with what looked to be an ankle injury.
Wolohan was replaced with the experienced Keith Walsh who slotted into the centre of midfield with ease.
The hosts started to put some passes together in midfield and were starting to challenge the Wicklow defence and almost had the opening goal of the game on the 28th minute as Chris Corrigan slipped through a ball to Alan McBride who went one on one with Wicklow Town keeper Paddy Reynolds, but unfortunately for the home side Reynolds was quick off his line to clear the ball out of danger.
United’s confidence grew and grew and they finally opened the scoring with an absolute screamer from Dennis McAuliffe.
The home side got a corner just before half-time which was whipped in by Alan Earls, Earls over hit the corner but managed to find Mark Nolan on the edge of the area.
Nolan saw McAuliffe in a great position to have a shot on goal and pulled the ball back to him.
McAuliffe took his shot on first time from just outside the box and it flew straight into the top corner, giving Reynolds no chance.
What a strike from McAuliffe, the defender won’t have scored many better than that in his career.
United went in at half-time on top with a one-goal cushion as the only needed a point to secure the title, meaning a big second half performance was needed by Wicklow Town.
Wicklow Town, much like they did at the start of the first half, took the game to their opponents but they just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Paddy Murphy went close on a number of occasions but the striker found it difficult to deal with the solid centre-back partnership of Jay Carey and Keith Ryan who had been superb throughout the game and kept Murphy quiet.
With Town throwing so many players forward as they tried to push for a goal they started to leave themselves exposed in defence.
The lightening quick Luke Walk- er was introduced late in the game as United tried to see the game out but at the same time try catch their opposition out on the counter attack if given the chance.
Walker almost assisted the goal that would certainly have won United the game in the 84th minute when the striker won the ball in his own half before going on a great solo run all the way to the corner of the Wicklow Town box before squaring across goal to Chris Corrigan who went for power rather than placing the ball as he smacked the crossbar with his effort.
Wicklow Town did almost get a consolation goal in the last few minutes of the game as Paddy Murphy rounded Dean Hayes but could only find the side netting.
In the end United saw out their victory to secure the league title.
They have been impressive throughout the season and fitting winners of the league.
Wickow Town still have two remaining games left to play in the league but the results in their remaining games will not matter as Arklow United B are this seasons winners of the Division 3 title.