Mervue United 1 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Mervue United moved to second place in the First Division table with a 1-0 win over Cobh Ramblers at Fahy’s Field on Saturday afternoon.
 

On a scorching hot day in Galway, youngster Ryan Manning scored the sole goal of the game five minutes from the break as Mervue kept their first clean sheet since the scoreless draw away to Salthill back in early May.

The first half was a rather forgetful affair with little or no chances for either side. Perhaps both sets of players were adjusting to the blazing sunshine or a little shocked at the awful attendance on such a lovely afternoon for football.

Mervue’s Noel Varley headed wide from a through ball after nine minutes while on 19 minutes Cobh striker Johnathan Spillane found space at the edge of the area but blazed his shot over the bar.

Conor Meade was in dangerous form for the visitors but, at times, the necessary quality link-up play was lacking from his teammates.  He’s their outstanding player and they’ll struggle to hold onto him when the transfer window opens in July.

Following a Barry O’Mahony and Brendan Lavelle’s half chances, Mervue finally broke the deadlock to the relief of their home fans.

O’Mahony played Lavelle through down the right flank and the Mayo man rounded Cobh’s goalkeeper Robert Bridsall but saw his shot cleared off the line. Varley picked up the loose ball and laid it off for Manning who smashed the ball into the top corner from just inside the area. In an opening half that was sparse with chances his goal was worth the wait.

The second-half was a much more enjoyable affair. Both goal keepers had more to do especially Bridsall who denied Manning on several occasions.

The game as a whole began to open up as Cobh probed and pushed for an equaliser. Mervue, not for the first time this season, began to sit back and counter-attack when able but the visitors never really created any meaningful chances.

However, Mervue should be thankful that central defender Stephen Walsh was on form as the former Galway United player was a mountain at the back. Up front Manning was controlling the game and everything Mervue tried went through him. The 16-year-old was giving Fitzgerald a torrid time and on 59 minutes Manning spotted Birdsall’s poor positioning and nearly lobbed the keeper.

The striker showed his skill and strength by holding off Fitzgerald down the left flank and delivering a cross to Gary Shanahan. Unfortunately the flame-haired attacker was thwarted by the Cobh defence and Varley’s follow up shot went wide.

On 75 minutes the game hit its peak. Conor Gleeson pushed away a Martin Deady free kick and Mervue countered as Manning clipped a ball over the top for King to latch onto. The substitute raced clear and lobbed Birdsall but the agonisingly the ball rebounded off the post.

On 86 minutes King was again one-on-one with Birdsall but fluffed his chance when he should have made the three points secure. King and Manning then began to terrorise the Cobh defence with neat one-touch passing. The ball eventually fell to Manning outside the box but he blasted just wide of the goal. It seemed that would be that.

Mervue’s promotion hunt is back on track but they’ll need lady luck on their side to keep up with Finn Harps and Longford Town.

Mervue United: Connor Gleeson; Michael McSweeney, Joe Woods, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden (c); Noel Varley, Barry O’Mahony (Tom King 70), Gary Kelly; Gary Shanahan, Ryan Manning, Brendan Lavelle (Gary Curran 90+4).
Subs not used: Kenny Farrell, Ross Kenny, Martin Conneely, Oscar Sinbanda, Peter Healy.

Booked:  Walsh (73), Kelly (78).

Cobh Ramblers: Robert Birdsall; Adam Thompson, Brian Fitzgerald, Gary Collins, John Meade (c); Martin Deady, Roy Kenny, Sean O’Mahony, Kynan Rocks; Conor Meade, Jonathan Spillane (David Walsh 62)
Subs not used: Keith O’Flynn, Ian Long, Lloyd Spillane, Jason Dunphy, Dave Curran, Shane Hallahan.

Booked: Fitzgearld (13).

Referee: John McLoughlin

Attendance: 181

Extratime Man of the Match: Ryan Manning (Mervue United).