Cobh Ramblers were made to work hard for their 1-0 victory over Athlone Town on Friday evening. The opening half was dominated by the home team and Ramblers should have taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute when Kabia missed a header after some
Cobh Ramblers were made to work hard for their 1-0 victory over Athlone Town on Friday evening.
The opening half was dominated by the home team and Ramblers should have taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute when Kabia missed a header after some good work by Fernandes. That opportunity set the tone for the rest of the half as Ramblers pressed more and more without finding the breakthrough.
A long distance shot by McAlavey beat the Athlone goalkeeper but was a whisker wide of the post. Another glorious chance presented itself in the 21st minute when a Lamb free kick was met by the head of Hurley at the back post. It looked a certain goal but Lawless did brilliantly to save with his feet.
The half ended with a series of corners and shots on goal for Ramblers but Athlone withstood the pressure to go in at the break on level terms.
Athlone grew in confidence at the beginning of the second half and missed two opportunities to take the lead. First, substitute Mukete set up Brilly who blazed over from six yards and minutes later Oguntola shot wide after once again being set up by the Athlone sub.
Both teams abandoned all inhibitions for the last half hour and went all out for victory. Athlone’s Mukete continued to be a thorn in the side of Ramblers but it was the other sub Ian Mylod who found the net for the home team in the 72nd minute. A searing run to the byline by Fernandes saw him cut the ball back for Mylod to shoot. The shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line.
Play continued but the linesman flagged to indicate the ball had indeed crossed the line to give Ramblers a deserved lead. Mukete almost equalised moments later but Hunt got down well to save. Both teams threatened late on but in the end Ramblers held on for the three points.
