Wicklow Rovers cruise to victory over Arklow
WICKLOW ROVERS ARKLOW TOWN
WICKLOW ROVERS’ under-13 side were in fine form on Sunday morning as they cruised past Arklow Town in an excellent 4-0 victory at home.
Rovers started the game in the best possible way, with an early goal on the second minute from a long-range effort from Cian Leonard.
Wicklow were putting some early attacking pressure on their opponents right from the first whistle and as the Arklow defence managed to stop a Rovers attack and get the ball away they could only clear it as far as Leonard who took the volley on first time and found the back of the net; a great start from the hosts, opening the scoring in the second minute.
Rovers were in control of the game for the majority of the first half as they kept on attacking Arklow Town.
Town were struggling to keep out their hosts and they had their keeper to thank in the first half, keeper Niall Byrne was in great form and kept out almost every attempt on goal from Rovers as he pulled off some great saves.
Two quick goals on the edge of half time from Ben Bowen and Ryan Mc Connell separated the sides at half time.
Bowen’s goal came on the 27th minute with the winger making a great run down the right flank before cutting inside and finding the back of the net.
Midfielder Ryan Mc Connell’s goal was almost not given as his top corner strike was overshadowed by an Arklow defender getting injured before the ball hit the back of the net, but referee Tony Doran awarded the goal just on the stroke of half-time.
In the first minute of the second half, Arklow Town were dealt another blow as their keeper Niall Byrne had to be taken off due to an injury he had suffered trying to prevent conceding a goal.
Defender Mossy O’Reilly bravely nominated himself to put the gloves on and go in goal for the remainder of the game.
Despite O’Reilly being a defender he wasn’t bad in goal either, and he came under some serious pressure in the first 15 minutes of the second half as Rovers were seeking more goals, but O’Reilly stood his ground on many occasions to keep the score at 3-0.
The home side did get the final goal they were looking for five minutes before the final whistle as Adam Byrne was first to react to a loose ball and found the back of the net.
Arklow Town were threatening their opponents in the second half more than the first as midfielder Keith McMillan went on two or three amazing solo runs but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
The game ended in a convincing 4-0 victory for the home side as they displayed some great passages of play throughout the game and were ruthless in-front of goal whilst Arklow Town will look to regroup and go again next weekend.
1. Aaron Nolan,
2. Eoin McEvoy, 3. Cian Leonard, 4. Cormac Waldron, 5. Peter Dunne, 6. Rory Jenkinson, 7. Ben Bowen, 8. Ryan Mc Connell, 9. Harry Kelly, 10. Kasper Lepek,
11. Charlie Phelan, 12. Oliver Lawless,
13. Tom Phelan, 14. Adam Byrne.
1. Niall Byrne, 2. Mossy O’ Reilly, 3. Patrick Boyle, 4. Alex Cullen,
5. Josh Storey, 6. Brian O’ Hara, 7. Keith Mc Millan, 8. John Erasmas, 9. Odhran O’ Donnell, 10. Fionn O’ Reilly, 11. Darragh Kennedy, 13. Diarmuid O’ Reilly,
15. Aaron Rowlands, 17. Cody Waldren Tony Doran