League Report: Cobh Ramblers 0 - 0 Waterford

An exciting stalemate in St. Colman’s Park tonight between the two teams at the top of the table. Nothing could separate the two sides in front of a large attendance.

Waterford shaded the first half but the second half was all the home side and they will regret not getting the three points that could have seen them go top of the table.

But one thing for certain after tonight’s game is that the First Division is not going to be a one horse race this season despite many predictions at the start of the year.

The last time these two sides met, Waterford emerged 2-1 winners down in the RSC.

Cobh made no changes to the side that beat UCD last weekend while the visitors to Saint Colman’s Park made two changes. Garry Comerford came back into the starting line up for the game against his former club along with Mark O’Sullivan in place of Kenny McEvoy and Robin Dempsey.

In front of a cracking atmosphere with both sets of supporters trying their best to out sing each other, Stephen Christopher was to have the first shot on goal when his shot from 16 yards was palmed away by Matt Connor.

Craig Donnellan had another shot on goal not to long after that was well saved by Connor but outside of a few long balls up to an isolated Matthew Whelan, it was to be all Waterford.

Their first attacking play of note came on 19 minutes when John Martin saw his dangerous ball across the box be flicked away by Charlie Fleming for a corner with Davy McDaid in close pursuit. From Derek Daly’s resulting corner, Paul Hunt was forced into a very good reaction save to deny Comerford’s powerful header.

The game was a good battle with both teams trying their best to impose themselves on proceeding but a lot of passes were going astray as Waterford were forced into a change on 27 minutes with Patrick McClean going off with a suspected shoulder injury following an awkward landing upon clearing possession.

With the first half nearing its conclusion, Waterford were unlucky not to be ahead on 40 minutes when Mark O’Sullivan saw his point blank header hit both posts before being grabbed by a grateful Hunt.

The second half was a tight affair with Waterford shading the possession stakes but it was to be the home side with the first chance of note on 63 minutes when Jason Abbott’s free kick from the edge of the box was held by Connor.

On 71 minutes substitute Ross Mann played in Whelan but the striker dragged the ball wide and then two minutes later Ian Mylod’s cross into the box was headed wide by Whelan.

At the other end of the pitch, Davy McDaid who looked dangerous all night going forward fired a shot over the bar from 25 yards.

The more the second half went on, the more Ramblers upped the ante and Connor was required to make two saves; one from Mann and then Abbott.

On 86 minutes, Martin saw his shot on the turn tipped out for a corner. From the resulting corner Jack Lynch saw header hit out for a corner.

At the end with Cobh now pushing for a winner, they had two chances. Firstly Whelan saw his shot go narrowly over the bar and then at the end, Anthony O’Donnell’s header be saved by Connor to ensure the draw.

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Charlie Fleming, Ben O’Riordan, James McSweeney, Ian Mylod; Stephen Christopher (Ross Mann 63), Craig Donnelan (Chris McCarthy 84), Cian Coleman, Scott McCarthy (Anthony O’Donnell 63); Jason Abbott; Matthew Whelan.

Subs not used: Darren Murphy, Dean Swords, Shane Lowth, Michael Sadys.

Yellow Cards: Coleman (53).

Red Cards: None.

Waterford: Matt Connor; Conor Whittle, Kenny Browne, Patrick McClean (Jack Lynch 27, inj.), Shane O’Connor; Anthony McAlavey; Derek Daly (Kenny McEvoy 85), John Martin, Garry Comerford, Davy McDaid; Mark O’Sullivan.

Subs not used: Dean Walsh, Gary Delaney, Owen Wall, Robin Dempsey, Matthew Sheehan.

Yellow Cards: O’Sullivan (26), Martin (80), O’Connor (89).

Red Cards: None.

Referee: Alan Carey

Extratime.ie Man of the match: James McSweeney (Cobh Ramblers).

Attendance: 900 (est.)