League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Cobh Ramblers

CABINTEELY

After a slow start to the 2017 league campaign, Cabinteely will be seeking a third successive victory when they welcome league leaders Cobh Ramblers to Stradbrook on SSE Airtricity League First Division Gameday 5.

Back to back 2-0 wins against Wexford, at Stradbrook, and away to Longford Town last week have seen Cabo jump up into fourth place, just ahead of Athlone on goal difference

Gratifying as well is that Michael Kelly has kept consecutive clean sheets, signs that Pat Devlin and his coaching staff have implemented lessons learnt from the losses to UCD and Waterford, which yielded no goals for Cabinteely.

Two strikes from Joe Doyle on his last home appearance saw off Wexford and south county Dublin fans will be hoping for more of the same this week from the 19-year-old forward.

Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters and Jack Watson have been playing well in the Cabinteely midfield. Both were on target in Longford. Watson expertly lobbed the keeper Paul Skinner inside two minutes following an astute through ball from Evan Galvin. Waters wrapped-up the points late on with a neat left footed finish after a deft flick from the evergreen Jason Byrne.

Two rugby matches are scheduled to be played on the Stradbrook pitch before the Cabinteely v. Ramblers match. That probably won’t help the playing surface but with both sides riding high in a tightly contested division, there should be plenty of excitement for the soccer followers.

Kick-off is on Saturday 25^th March at 7.45 p.m.

COBH RAMBLERS

Ramblers were due to face Avondale United last Tuesday in the EA Sports Cup first round. However, that match was deferred as a mark of respect to Derry City’s captain Ryan McBride (Cabinteely were scheduled to play Bohemians and both matches will now take place on April 4th).

Ramblers manager Stephen Henderson totally concurred with the decision. “It was the right thing to do, and very respectful from the FAI to postpone all the ties.”

Henderson made good use of the freed-up time. “But we put in a hard training session instead – we may be top of the table but it’s important that the lads don’t take their foot off the pedal.

“The lads were buzzing after the 5-1 win over Athlone Town and going top of the table. But we worked hard last night – the lads did three six minute miles, they certainly weren’t expecting that! But it also reminded them that being top of the table means they can’t just come up and play a few five-a-sides – if they think that they have another think coming!”

Henderson is delighted with the response of his squad. “There’s hard work to be done, but there’s a great buzz in training as there has been all year so far. Myself, Stuart Ashton, the rest of the backroom team, we’re all very fortunate to be involved with this group of lads. They want to learn, they want to put a shift in.

“We’re top of the table, albeit after four games. But being top of the table at any stage of the season isn’t an easy thing to do, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond to the pressure, to see if we can go on a run and stay up there.”

Henderson anticipates a very tough encounter with Cabinteely this weekend. “Pat Devlin’s in charge now and he’s brought in a great coaching staff, they’ve invested in good players and they already have some excellent players. It’s going to be a very good game. Pat will have them very well organised, and they’ll be very attack minded. They have some very experienced players in Jason Byrne, Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters and Daire Doyle, and some very good young players. So, it’s going to be a tough test.”

Referee: Robert Hennessy.

MATCH FACTS

The sides met on four occasions last season in the SSE Airtricity League First Division. Cobh Ramblers won all four of those matches. The four matches produced a total of twelve goals, with Cobh netting ten of those. Stephen Christopher, who scored two against Athlone last week, notched a brace in the 5 August 2016 clash at Stradbrook.

Cabinteely’s last home win against Cobh Ramblers was a 1-0 league victory in September 2015. A second half John McKeown strike did the trick. In their earlier Stradbrook encounter in May 2015, Cabo led 2-0 before being pegged back to 2-2. A 94^th minute Brendan Frahill header completed the Ramblers comeback. 

Cabinteely: last five league games LLLWW

Cobh Ramblers: last five league games WDWDW

BETTING

Cabinteely 17/10; Draw 9/4; Cobh Ramblers 7/5. 

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1; Cobh Ramblers 2.

Cabinteely

Injured: None

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Ian Mylod (ankle), Cian Kingston (hamstring)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None.