Cobh Ramblers defeated Athlone 3-1 on Saturday evening. This game exploded into life right from the off. An early long range finish by Christopher was ruled offside by the linesman. Minutes later, Cobh thought they had a penalty when Whelan was clat
Cobh Ramblers defeated Athlone 3-1 on Saturday evening.
This game exploded into life right from the off. An early long range finish by Christopher was ruled offside by the linesman. Minutes later, Cobh thought they had a penalty when Whelan was clattered in the box by Athlone keeper Labuts.
The referee pointed to the spot before realising the lineman had his flag up for offside. Cobh continued to have the better of the opening exchanges. For Athlone, Lyons proved a useful outlet up front claiming a few headers while Viegas was eager to test Cobh keeper Hunt every time he received the ball.
The game was turned on its head in a frantic five minutes of football that saw Ramblers score 3 goals. The first goal came from the head of Cian Coleman who rose highest to win a corner. He powered his header downwards and it bounced up in front of the diving Labuts and into the corner of the net.
Two minutes later, Cobh doubled their lead when Whelan was fouled in the box by David Brookes. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Jason Abbott expertly dispatched the ball into the corner to double Cobh's lead.
Before Athlone had a chance to shake off that blow they were struck with another. Less than 60 seconds after the penalty, Abbott claimed the ball in midfield and slid in Whelan with a delightful through ball.
The Cobh striker composed himself before finishing into the bottom corner. Athlone emerged in the second half looking to increase the tempo. An early header by Lyons was tipped onto the bar and over by Hunt.
They were given extra impetus in the 58th minute when Ian Mylod was sent off for Cobh. Shown a yellow for protesting a foul, the Cobh player was shown a second yellow sixty seconds later for a two footed tackle on Hernandez.
That spurred Athlone on and they got their reward when a lovely move saw Sfrijan bend the ball pass Hunt from outside the box. Athlone grew in confidence for the final 20 minutes but Cobh managed to hold out.
