Interim Cobh Ramblers manager Stuart Ashton was left with mixed emotions after watching his side stutter to a 1-1 draw with Wexford on Saturday evening at St. Colman’s Park. In a first half dominated by the home side, Ramblers struck first through C
Interim Cobh Ramblers manager Stuart Ashton was left with mixed emotions after watching his side stutter to a 1-1 draw with Wexford on Saturday evening at St. Colman’s Park. In a first half dominated by the home side, Ramblers struck first through Cian Leonard in the 27th minute. For all their dominance they could not extend their lead and were made to pay when Danny Furlong capitalised on a defensive mistake by Charlie Lyons to tie the game up before the break. Second half saw Wexford now control the game and the visitors will feel unfortunate not to have claimed all three points, missing numerous chances throughout. The performance left Ashton with more questions than answers about his sides display. “We are disappointed. It’s the old cliché of a game of two halves. First half we did ok but not as good performance wise as we can play. We did have chances to win at and go further ahead at 1-0 up. I think at 2-0, we would have been better. "At 1-0, we let them back in it and we seemed to sit back and invite them on. You can’t legislate for the individual error that cost us a goal but that’s a learning experience for our player. It’s hard on him but he will learn from it. “Second half we were very poor for whatever reason. We just had a chat about that in the dressing room. The lads didn’t play. We didn’t want to get on the ball enough, we let Wexford have it too much and we didn’t compete. They are simple things but that really hasn’t been us this season. “The lack of a second goal when we were on top was important. In saying that, their keeper made some fabulous saves, so we did create chances and passages of play. The mystery for us is where did the second half go? That’s the big disappointment for the lads. They are in the dressing room like we’ve been hammered 5-0. In one sense that is good because they are taking it to heart, but we know we are better than that and must learn from it. “Delighted obviously that we didn’t lose the game. A draw is probably a fair result. We haven’t lost so that is the main positive from tonight.” Looking ahead, Ashton feels that it is back to square one for his Rams side and building the belief that there is still plenty to play for this season. “We need to regroup now. Get back into training and look to play like we did in the first half. Our mentality has been improving. We started we those two defeats, but last week’s win has given us a lift. We need to go back to doing the simple things right. Our decision making was poor in the second half. We need to believe in what we are doing. We’ve shown that once we’ve got that we’ll create chances, score goals and win games. Tonight, unfortunately it wasn’t there. “I’m probably sitting here now being a bit harsh, but it is three wins and a draw in the last four home games, so we are going in the right direction. It can just be a bit frustrating when we see it on the training ground but then not in the match. Players have their off days but today there were too many wrong decisions when we were on top of the game. “We have a couple of new players training with us from local clubs along with a few others so hopefully we’ll be adding a few new faces. If not, we’ll get on with what we’ve got. I don’t have a problem with that. I’m happy with the group I have. It’s up to those lads to push for places which is what we want. “We are not just going to see out the season. We want to win every game and see how high up we can finish. If it interferes with other teams and their push, then so be it.”
