Friendly Report: Cobh Ramblers 1 - 3 Cork City
Cork City prepared for next week’s Presidents Cup clash against Dundalk in style as they comprehensively defeated local rivals Cobh Ramblers 3-1 at St Colman’s Park on Wednesday night.
Goals from Alex Ya Kuba and a superb brace from Karl Sheppard was enough to deservedly see City continue their fine pre-season form with a victory at the expense of Ramblers, who responded in vein with a stunning free kick from Jason Abbott.
And it was the visitors who started the game the better side and they took the lead within the opening minutes of the match.
A fine run and cross from Karl Sheppard picked out striker Alex Ya Kuba (otherwise known as Trialist A on the team sheet) who made no mistake, drilling the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The FAI Cup winners almost doubled their lead midway through the first period but after an excellent run and cross from Trialist B (otherwise known as Christian Lanetti), Karl Sheppard could only scuff his effort wide of the target.
The duo combined again late in the first 45 but after a surging run past numerous challenges, the energetic front man could only drive his strike into the side net from a tight angle.
But Sheppard wasn’t to be denied for too much longer, as at the beginning of the second half he doubled his side’s advantage with a fortunate finish.
A close-range header from Alex Ya Kuba fell kindly to the City number 19 and he prodded the ball into the bottom left corner via a defection.
Sheppard grabbed his second and his sides third of the match moments later as following another powerful run he was fouled in the penalty area before dusting himself down and calmly firing the ball into the bottom left corner from the spot.
As is often the case with pre-season friendlies, the games lost its rhythm due to the sheer volume of substitutions used by both managers in the second period.
But there was still time for one moment of brilliance before the game drew to a conclusion and it came from Cobh’s Jason Abbott.
The midfielder curled an exceptional free kick from all of 30 yards into the top left corner of the net to snatch a consolation for his side as City held on to secure another win before next week’s official curtain raiser against league winners Dundalk.
Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt, Ryan Hogan, Charlie Fleming, Chris McCarthy, Ian Mylod, Scott McCarthy, Craig Donnellan, Stephen Christopher, Karl Caulfield, Jason Abbott, Dean Swords.
Cork City: Mark McNulty, Shane Griffin, Ryan Delaney, Kenny Browne, Steven Beattie, Karl Sheppard, Gearoid Morrissey, Garry Buckley, Alex Ya Kuba, Christian Lanetti, Trialist C.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 600 (Estimate).
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Karl Sheppard (Cork City).
