League Report: Cabinteely 1 - 2 Cobh Ramblers

Cobh Ramblers ran out 2-1 winners in a keenly contested fixture at a damp Stradbrook.

Both teams were left with nothing but half chances during the opening ten minutes. Stephen Hanley saw his headed effort, from a Karl Byrne cross, dealt with by the visiting defence. At the other end goalkeeper Michael Kelly struggled with Ian Mylod’s ball into the Cabinteely box but was able to gather at the second time of asking.

Mylod looked the most dangerous man for Cobh, using his pace to beat Kevin Knight on several occasions and get the ball into the penalty area with those crosses easily being dealt with by the Cabinteely centre backs.

Cobh had several legitimate shouts for free kicks in dangerous areas in the first twenty but their appeals were turned down by referee Thomas Dempsey.

Cabinteely had another half chance on 21 minutes. Hanley was able to find space for a long range shot but his effort lacked power and Cobh keeper McCarthy was able to get across and comfortably save.

The breakthrough finally came in the 25^th minute. Mylod was fouled cheaply by McDonagh and from the resulting free kick Cian Kingston was able to rise above the challenges of numerous defenders to get his head on the ball and steer it confidently past Kelly.

The weather began to worsen after the goal. The heavier rain meant that both teams struggled to hold onto possession for a meaningful length of time. Cobh had a bright spell and they held onto most of the possession in the five minutes after the goal.

Cabinteely nearly drew level five minutes before the break.  Hanrahan was able to loop a header over the Cobh keeper Hunt and into the bottom right corner however, unfortunately for Cabinteely the goal was ruled out for offside.

By the time the second half kicked off the weather had markedly improved although things did not get brighter for Cabinteely. Cobh then doubled their lead almost immediately from the kick-off.

Gustavsson set Lehane free on the right flank. After cutting inside Cabinteely captain Kevin Knight Lehane was able to pick out Corey Galvin in the box, Galvin superbly controlled the ball on his chest and finished into the net from close range.

Cabinteely were able to pull one back somewhat against the run of play just short of the hour mark. The ball pinballed around the box after Hunt produced a good save from a Joseph Doyle shot. Brown then had another follow up shot only partially blocked and Hanrahan was able to turn it in amidst the chaos, from close range.

The goal seemed to give Cabinteely some belief and they began to start forging chances for themselves. Substitute Oliver Hamzat gave the Cobh defence a headache with his pace and lively play. He won a free kick to the left of the Cobh box with the delivery seeing Hanrahan head narrowly wide from Brown’s cross.

As the game reached it’s final phase Cobh looked to protect their lead and were less committed to going forward. They did however muster up a chance of note on 72 minutes when Stephen Christopher had a twenty-five-yard effort on the half volley shave the top of the crossbar.

Cabinteely responded to that scare by manufacturing a chance of their own. Hanrahan lined up a free in a dangerous position. His effort came back off the wall but Boyle was present to hit a well aimed shot towards the bottom left corner of the goal forcing Hunt to produce a fantastic save to ensure that the score remained the same.

Cabinteely kept chasing the game. A wayward cross by Karl Byrne had to be dealt with sharply by Hunt and Hanrahan saw his shot go wide after he did well to make the space.

Cobh were able to withstand the final five minutes of Cabinteely pressure and hold on for the three points.

Cabinteely: Michael Kelly, Lee Mitchell (Andrew Wall (90+2), Edward McDonagh, Kevin Knight, Michael Brown; Karl Byrne, Oscar Brennan, Shane Boyle (Aaron Brilly 90+2); Ben Hanrahan, Stephen Hanley (Oliver Hamzat 63), Joe Doyle.

Subs Not Used: Troy Owns, Cathal Gillen, Lloyd Cairns, Sean Burke

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt, Cian Kingston, Charlie Fleming, Graham McCarthy, Chris McCarthy ;Stephen Christopher, Ian Mylod, Shane O'Connor; Robert Lehane (Jason Abbott 85), Markus Gustavsson (Andy O'Connell 76), Cory Galvin.

Subs not Used: Evan Galvin, David Curran, Eoin McGreevy, Eoghan Daly

Referee: Thomas Dempsey

Attendance: 400 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Manf of the Match: Cory Galvin (Cobh Ramblers)