Three late goals saw Wolfe Tone maintain their 100% away record in the WDSL U15 Division 1 Shield.
Striker Joe Bradley registered his second hat-trick in as many games as the Bray side saw off a dogged Arklow last Saturday at the Old Dublin Road venue.
Having beaten Greystones United (5-2) at the Woodlands and Enniskerry FC (4-3) at Ballyman Road, the ‘Youth Club are now challenging Aughrim Rangers for second in the charts behind leaders St. Anthony’s.
As for Arklow, it was their second loss in the competition.
Yet, it could have been so different for the home side had Wolfe Tone’s reserve goalkeeper Josh Flanagan not pulled off a brilliant save to thwart Michael Crowley with the game poised at 2-2 in the 62nd minute.
With that said, United custodian Kyle O’Connor was the man of the match. He made over a dozen top-class stops to deny the visitors.
It was personal duel between the net-minder and Bradley. The away forward was also centre to referee Gavin Colfer’s whistle as he was caught offside no less than 13 times.
In the end, he finally overcame Arklow’s high line to secure all three points.
Wolfe Tone went ahead in the 17th minute.
Oisin McLoughlin’s quick throw along the right wing saw Ger Clancy burst clear and square for winger Jack Flynn to slot in from six-yards.
But United levelled by the 28th minute after good initial work by Shane Halpen. The ball wasn’t cleared and Crowley raced in to fire low past Ciarin Gormley.
The Bray outfit went back in front 11 minutes into the second period.
McLoughlin’s incisive pass saw Bradley beat the offside. His initial effort was parried by O’Connor but the striker’s second attempt crept in from acute angle at the front post.
However, the hosts equalised again on the hour.
Jack McCall’s free-kick saw substitute Ros McBride get free on the right flank and hit a stunning 20-yard half volley that found the far corner of the net.
After Flanagan’s crucial stop, Wolfe Tone went 3-2 up in the 74th minute.
Sub Dion McGovern released Bradley in a one-on-one with O’Connor to clinically finish from 12-yards.
In the last minute of normal time, great play by McLoughlin saw McGovern tee up Bradley to score his third with a volley that went in off the under-side of the bar.
Then in stoppage time, Clancy’s mazy run from the halfway line left four opponents in his wake before blasting past O’Connor off the left wing.

Arklow United B: Kyle O’Connor; Shaun Kinsella, Jack McCall, Gerard Kavanagh, Oisin Condren; Caleb Briggs-Wolohan, Gerard Hackett, Shane Halpen, Conor Ahern; Ronan Arthur, Michael Crowley. Sub: Ros McBride (for Arthur half time).

Wolfe Tone Youth Club: Ciarin Gormley; Alan Kane, Brandon Cowan, Luke Harvey-Fennelly, Shane O'Hagan; Liam Delaney, Ger Clancy, Oisin McLoughlin, Jack Flynn; Joe Bradley, Daniel Lindsey. Subs: Dion McGovern (for Lindsey 52 mins), Josh Flanagan (for Gormley 60 mins), Craig Mason (for Delaney 68 mins).

Referee: Gavin Colfer.

Match report: Paul Dowling, Evening Herald.