League Report: Galway 4 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Friday evening saw Galway FC pick up their first home win of the 2014 season as they put Cobh Ramblers to the sword on a score-line of 4-0.

In the end, a couple of well-taken goals from Stephen Walsh as well as a goal a-piece from Ryan Manning and Jason Molloy proved the difference on a cold, damp night at Eamon Deacy Park.

It didn't take long for the hosts to assert their dominance as they struck early on after eight minutes through the head of the in-form Stephen Walsh. After some good work down the right flank, Jason Molloy won a free-kick which he whipped in to the waiting Walsh.

And he made no mistake from close range to score Galway's first league goal at home, sending the hundreds of loyal supporters into wild celebrations.

After the first goal went in, Galway hit a bit of a lull and began to make more than their fair share of wayward passes, failing to get a firm grip on the tie. And although, it rarely looked as though they'd allow the away side back into the match, a series of poor exchanges at times, left a lot to be desired.

Nevertheless, the negatives were more than made up for by the positives – Martin Conneelly's header that cannoned off the crossbar early in the first half showing that the scoreboard could have been even more flattering to the First Division's new boys.  

The goal of the game arrived in the first period after Ryan Manning worked his magic on the left-hand side of the box, after shimmying this way and that to bamboozle the defence before rifling a left-footed effort past the flailing Robert Birdsall. It was a real moment of class from the 17-year-old.

Although the Rams did their utmost to find a way back into the tie, they looked second best for much of the game and were limited to shooting from distance – Robert Waters' 51^st minute punt an example.

But try as they might, their defensive frailties really came back to haunt them as Tommy Dunne's charges took full advantage to rack up a big, confidence-boosting win.

In truth, with the score 2-0 at half-time, the signs were always there that the men from Connacht would go on to win big. And so it proved as they netted another two goals after the restart.

Completing his brace on 76 minutes was a brilliantly clinical Walsh after being played through on goal from the left to a one-one-one with Cobh's net minder. From there, any niggling doubts that might have lingered were quickly dissipated as the home side claimed a deserved 3-0 lead.

Not long after that Walsh turned provider to set up Jason Molloy for Galway's fourth and final goal.

Overall, it was a richly deserved three points which will see Galway shoot up the table and is sure to quench any doubts about their ability to find the back of the net.

As for the Rams, it highlighted just how much work they have left to do if they are to get off the foot of the table and will likely have Martin Cambridge fretting over the tactics whiteboard ahead of their next match against Waterford United.

Galway FC: Conor Gleeson; Colm Horgan, Cian Fadden, Martin Conneely (Mike Elwood 65), Marc Ludden; Jason Molloy, Paul Sinnot (Noel Varley 77), Ryan Manning, Ryan Connolly, Stephen Walsh; Vinny Faherty (Jake Keegan 69).
Subs not used: Ger Hanley (gk), Gary Shanahan, Shane McGinty, Marty Owens.

Bookings: None

Cobh Ramblers: Robert Birdsall; Eoin Hastings, Damien O'Rourke, Craig Burns (Cian Murphy 46), Anthony O'Donnell; Martin Deady, Roy Kenny, Chris McCarthy (George Gill 79), Bobbi Donoghue; Jonathan Creamer (Alan O'Flynn 61); Robert Waters.
Subs not used: Jonathan Spillane.

Bookings: O'Rourke (62).

Referee: Ray Matthews

Attendance: 853

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen Walsh (Galway FC)