Wicklow Rovers AFC

Founded 1975

Co. Wicklow

TEN MAN ROVERS GAIN FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

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The first team welcomed Glencormac United to Whitegates for a match that was reversed from Ryders Field. Both sides went into the game in search of their first victory with the away side still seeking their first point. Rovers have shown good form in their last two fixtures, earning 1-1 draws with champions St Peters and old friends Arklow Town. Rovers didn't get off to a good start as Glencormac, with their first attack after six minutes, hit the front. Rovers pushed forward, and even though 1-0 down, the majority of the early proceedings were played in the away team's half. Rovers got their reward on fifteen minutes when Tommy Smullen fired home the equaliser. Parity didn’t last long because with their second venture into the Rovers half, Glencormac nosed themselves in front after a mix up in the Rovers rearguard to make it 2-1 after twenty minutes. Two minutes later it got worse for Rovers as Glencormac extended their lead with a thirty yard screamer. Even though Rovers weren't playing well, you still had that feeling there was something in the game for them. Ten minutes before the break, they pulled one back with Oussama Kemouche getting on the scoreboard. A minute later, they were level after a neat finish from Mark O'Sullivan. It seemed every time the teams attacked it ended up with a goal. Four minutes before the break, Glencormac attacked down the left, where a challenge from a Rovers player ended with a free awarded and a red card was shown to reduce Rovers to ten players. The resulting free kick some how found its way to the back of the Rovers net to send Glencormac in at the break leading 4-3. The second half was more of the same, even though they were down to ten men, it was Rovers on the front foot. On the hour mark, Rovers were awarded a penalty and Ben Algera stepped up to coolly dispatch the ball to the net to level matters at 4-4. Could Rovers get their noses in front for the first time in the match? The answer to that was yes. In the seventy seventh minute, the home side were awarded their second spot kick of the game. Up stepped Algera again, and even though there was some gamesmanship, Algera was as cool as a cucumber stepping up to blast home, 5-4 to Rovers and they were edging towards their first victory of the season. There was a nervous moment in the last minute, but Rovers saw out the game to claim the three points. Among the mayhem of this high scoring game, it was important Rovers gained the win for their confidence. On the night, Bryan Doyle, Tommy Smullen and Ben Algera played well for Rovers.

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