Athlone Town withstood massive second-half pressure to seal a first away win in almost two years with a 1-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park. In a high tempo game, Ramblers almost got off to a perfect start when a Turner cross found K
Athlone Town withstood massive second-half pressure to seal a first away win in almost two years with a 1-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park.
In a high tempo game, Ramblers almost got off to a perfect start when a Turner cross found Kenny at the back post, but the Cobh man’s diving header was gathered by Myles. Ramblers continued to press in the opening 15 minutes and had no fewer than five corners all of which created little.
Athlone slowly grew in confidence and enjoyed a good spell with Darren Meenan a constant source of danger for the home team. Buckley tested Mylod in goal after some great interplay down the right for Athlone. The visitors got their reward just before half-time when a terrific ball from Dillon was glanced into the net by Williams (pictured above) from six-yards out.
The visitors should have doubled their lead a minute later when a Meenan strike at the back post was somehow kept out by the diving Mylod. For Ramblers, Kabia had a penalty appeal waved away before his deflected effort went narrowly wide. Ramblers burst out of the blocks in the second half and pelted the Athlone box with crosses.
Athlone soaked up the pressure well and looked to score on the counter attack. Midfielder Shane O’ Connor went close in the 64th minute when his shot from just outside the box was narrowly wide. Athlone were happy to concede free kicks and dealt with all the pressure with relative ease. Stephen Kenny came close for Ramblers when a Kabia shot was deflected into his path, but he couldn’t lift the ball over the onrushing Myles.
Hurley and Turner missed golden opportunities in the last ten minutes to bring Ramblers level and Athlone held out to maintain their 100% start to the season.
