WDLS U12 DIVISION 2 MATCH REPORT

WICKLOW ROVERS C 1

ST. ANTHONY’S KILCOOLE UNITED FC B 0

Wicklow kept up their bid to make up for lost time as they recorded a second U12 Division 2 win of the 2022 season.

Rovers only joined the group two weeks after entering late by their formation.

But they held on for a narrow 1-0 success over St. Anthony’s on Thursday evening at Whitegates.

What was remarkable was that there was only one goal in the contest. The tie had plenty of chances with all 26 players contributing to an entertaining affair.

The home side started well with a piece of individual skill by John Jackson to wriggle free in front of goal. But away custodian Mason Finnerty reacted to parry in the fourth minute.

Then in the tenth minute Rovers’ netminder Ferdia Lord’s long punt was latched onto by Will O’Callaghan. But again, Finnerty was equal to the shot.

The vital score arrived less than 60 seconds later. From a Saints free in their own half, O’Callaghan headed goal wards. Jackson raced onto the ball to slot in low from ten-yards.

The Kilcoole outfit came into the tie after that. Lord raced off his line on 20 minutes to smother at Lewis McConnell’s feet as he burst into the box.

Finnerty again reacted well on 27 when he clawed out a team-mates header off O’Callaghan’s corner.

At the other end almost immediately, McConnell fired off target from 16-yards when pouncing on a loose ball.

United started the second half well. In the 33rd minute, sub Max Sheehan fed fellow reserve Charlie McElwain, who drove wide from 20-yards.

Finnerty again thwarted Jackson on 41 by saving a shot after the striker controlled a high ball. Four minutes later, Saint’s Daniel Kelly collected the ball on the left and tried his luck from 20-yards. But his strike flew just off target.

That was the story of the away team's evening. In the 47th minute, after good work by Ashton O’Riordan, sub Ryan Dowd’s long range attempt went the wrong side of the upright.

Wicklow finished the game strongly though. From O’Callaghan’s 49th minute corner, Jackson’s close range effort was cleared off the line by O’Riordan.

The Green and Whites were awarded an in-direct free-kick inside the penalty area for a back-pass in the 54th minute. Finn O’Reilly smashed the dead-ball off the post.

It would not have counted had it gone in as a team-mate did not touch the ball, and referee Seamus Ferguson had his hand in the air signalling in-direct.

Then in the last minute of normal time, O’Callaghan squared from the left-wing to the unmarked Arthur Thompson. But the impressive Finnerty blocked in a one-on-one situation.

With four victories and now four defeats, the Saints remain second in the table.

After five wins so far in the section, unbeaten Roundwood AFC look to the team to beat in terms of the League title.

WICKLOW ROVERS C: Ferdia Lord; Michael Delaney, Danny Vickers, Peter Lee, Leon Lawless, Arthur Thompson, Finn O’Reilly, Will O’Callaghan, John Jackson, Tyler Devlin, Ryan Samson, Yousif Ridaa.

ST. ANTHONY’S KILCOOLE UNITED FC B: Mason Finnerty; Finlay Corcoran, Jak Campion, Ryan O’Sullivan, Max Sheehan, Ashton O’Riordan, Max Doyle, Michael Solari, Lewis McConnell, Charlie McElwain, Alana Synnott, Daniel Kelly, Ryan Dowd, Ben Ring.

REFEREE; Seamus Ferguson.

REPORTER:Paul Dowling