WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 13th NOVEMBER 2022
Our Leinster Senior team were away to Pegasus/St James Athletic on Saturday. The lads were seeking their first win in the league and they got it in very impressive fashion winning 6-0. Rovers turned in a five star performance from the first whistle to the final one. In the first twenty minutes Sam Brown and Ciaran McGettigan both had great chances to open Rovers account but were denied. It was only a matter of time before Rovers opened their account as they were creating chances and on the half hour mark it came, JT Moorehouse latched on to a breaking ball to fire Rovers in front. Then just before half time some quick thinking from Rikki Quinn and Nathan Sullivan set Ciaran McGettigan away down the right hand side, Ciaran put a great ball into the box and JT was there to tap in. Rovers started the second half in the same manner, on the front foot. Ciaran McGettigan cut inside and finished well to make it 3-0. Then it was Sam Brown's turn to hit the net with what proved to be the goal of the match, he picked the ball up just inside the home team's half, took on two players before unleashing a shot into the top corner with his left foot. Rovers added two more goals with JT taking advantage of a mistake in their backline to complete his hat-trick and then he capped off a fine display with a fourth goal with a tidy finish to make it 6-0. This was the result Rovers are capable of producing and hopefully this will kick start their league campaign to progress up the table. It was the best team performance so far this season with every player on top of their game. The Wicklow League team entertained Ballywaltrim at Whitegates on Sunday afternoon, the Bray men came out on top winning 5-2. Anto Hill scored from the penalty spot for Rovers with Ingvard Tollies firing home their second goal. The lads gave it everything in the game, they just need the rub of the green.
On Saturday our under 11 green team had excellent 3-0 home win over a very good Arklow Town team at Whitegates. In the first half Ben Morrissey in the Rovers goal was impressive pulling off some fantastic saves which included one from a penalty just before the break. It proved to be a turning point as shortly after the break Rovers were one up with a Freddie Kavanagh strike. Alessio Coppola made it 2-0 before the same player made the points safe in the dying seconds with his second goal and Rovers third. Ben Morrissey was excellent between the posts with his rear guard of Ronan Byrne, Jack Collins and Dylan Butler impressing in another good team performance. The under 11 whites saw their winning run come to an end when they lost 3-1 away to Arklow United. Rovers didn’t perform to their normal high standard in the first half and found themselves 3-1 down at the break with Mikie O’Neill netting their goal. The second period was more like what we have come to expect from the team but both sides cancelled each other out with no further goals. Matthew Gough was excellent between the posts for Rovers with Eoghan Daye turning in a man of the match performance at right back. Well done to both teams. Our under 14’s travelled to Moneystown to take on a strong Ashford Rovers team and when these two teams meet its always a thriller and Saturday was no different. The home side raced into a 2-0 lead, but the lads showed great character to battle back and level matters with a brace of goals from Naoise O'Dubhslaine. Unfortunately for the lads Ashford popped up with a cracking goal which proved to be the winner. On the final whistle both teams had given everything as Ashford edged it 3-2. Yet again another thrilling game played in a sporting manner between these two sides. Well done to both teams. Sunday's action saw our 13A's claim all three points in a narrow 1-0 away win over St Anthonys. NJ Sinnott scored the all important winner with a wonderful strike from a free kick. This was a game that saw the art of defending to the fore with both sides defences excellent throughout. Well done Rovers and St Anthonys. The 13B team went down 7-0 away to a clinical St Anthonys side at Finn Park. The team battled throughout and at 2-0 down they had two great chances but were denied by two super saves from the Anthonys keeper. From then on it was St Anthonys who proved the more clinical in front of goal. The under 15’s made the long journey to Ballard Park to take on Shillelagh and returned empty handed despite a good team performance. The home side ran out 3-1 winners, Mason McGovern nabbed the Rovers goal.
Tickets are on sale for our 50/50 draw on a continuous basis. The draw will have a guaranteed monthly winner, who will also have the chance to win a Jackpot prize by predicting the Bonus Ball Number in the main Irish Lottery draw that will take place the day after the winner is announced. The cost of a ticket is €5, you can also subscribe to a monthly payment option, so that you won’t forgot to enter into the draw each month!!. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 6th of December. The Bonus Ball jackpot now stands at €3000. The draw will be streamed live at 8pm on the club Facebook page. The more people that play each month, the more money you can win. Tickets will be available to purchase online via our club shop website www.wicklowroversclubshop.com on an ongoing basis, you can also purchase your tickets by contacting any committee member or any club member. Any questions, please contact us at wrafcshop@gmail.com Many thanks from the Wicklow Rovers fundraising committee.
If anyone is looking to purchase club gear it can be done online by visiting www.wicklowroversclubshop.com So if it’s socks and shorts, a polo shirt, rain jacket, coaches jacket, etc or something small like a beanie hat, water bottle, etc just visit the club shop or contact Colin Hindle at wrafcshop@gmail.com or by text at 087-1278510. Also, if you want to give someone a present but don’t know what to buy you can purchase a club voucher, all club items will come with the club crest.
