WDSL MATCH REPORT – U16 GROUP B
WDSL MATCH REPORT – U16 GROUP B
RATHNEW AFC 1 ROUNDWOOD AFC 5
The Blues went in tied at 1-1 at half time with Rathnew on Thursday evening under the floodlights at Shamrock Park.
Two second period penalties by Heffernan saw the visitors secure all three points – their first victory in the section - against their ten-man opponents.
A wonder-goal by midfielder Joe Wolohan either side of the two spot-kick’s effectively sealed the win midway through the second half
The Villagers had drawn 2-2 last month on the opening day of the season with Arklow United at Shamrock Park.
A week later, Arklow played out a 1-1 draw with Roundwood at the Vartry Grounds.
After a lack-lustre opening in difficult playing conditions, the away side went ahead on the half hour.
A ball was threaded through along the left channel for Heffernan. He evaded two tackles before firing in right footed from 16-yards
However, the Yellow and Green’s equalised three minutes before the interval.
Jordan Merrigan’s scissors kick half volley from 12-yards was superbly kept out by custodian Jack Gummerson. But Aaron Byrne pounced on the rebound close in.
Heffernan was brought down inside the box in the 55th minute with the left winger picking himself up to slot in the dead-ball.
Then in the 58th minute, Wolohan struck a quite brilliant 35-yard right-footed half volley – worthy of winning any game - that dipped just under the bar into the top left hand corner of the net.
Worse to was to befell Rathnew moments later as Conor Doherty was dismissed.
Heffernan completed his treble in the 70th minute by blasting in another penalty after sub Ciaran Mulvey had beem fouled in the 18-yard area.
Heffernan turned provider in the 79th minute as his corner was headed in by Wolohan at the front post.
The hosts almost bagged an injury time consolidation. But sub Jack Healy’s close range effort clipped the bar.
RATHNEW AFC: Finn Richardson; Max Witter, Jack Duffy, Luke Finnegan, Dean Gregory; Aaron Byrne, Conor Doherty, Jack Snell, Alex Gregory;
Jordan Merrigan, Aarnav Singh.
SUBS: Zach Quinn, Aaron Kavanagh, Seb Gaelono, Jai Malone, Jack Healy, Dara De Hora.
ROUNDWOOD AFC: Jack Gummerson; Aaron Byrne, Ben Daly, Ben Betson, Noah Little; Leo Kavanagh, Aaron Walsh, Lorcan Little, Aidan Heffernan;
Joe Wolohan; Oran Finnerty.
SUBS: Ciaran Mulvey, Alex Kelly, Fintan Byrne, Noah Walsh, Shane Hamilton.
REFEREE: Charlie Byrne.
Report by : Paul Dowling
