League Report: Cobh Ramblers 1 - 1 Shamrock Rovers B

COBH Ramblers came from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ at St. Colman’s Park in the first ever game for a reserve side in the League of Ireland.

James Carson scored the Cobh equaliser after 88 minutes following a neat move involving Rob Waters and Bobbi Donoghue with the midfielder finishing well, from the edge of the box.

Daniel Purdy had opened the scoring for Rovers just short of the 20 minute mark when his corner from the left was only headed back to the winger and Purdy curled an unstoppable right-footed strike into the far top right corner.

The game was played on a poor pitch at St. Colman’s Park with few opportunities created by either side.

The Rovers striking partnership of Emeka Onwubiko and Chris Lyons caused the Cobh defence problems from the start and Onwubiko had the first chance in the 13^th minute when he was allowed to turn in the box but his weak shot went wide at the far post.

Purdy’s screamer opened the scoring on 20 minutes but there were few other incidents of note in the remainder of a drab first half.

The home side were much brighter from the off in the second half and started to look more threatening with striker Waters and winger Donoghue looking the most likely to create an opening.

The Cobh central defensive partnership of new-signing Damian O’Rourke and Craig Burns looked much steadier in the second period with O’Rourke bravely blocking a goal bound Ryan Coombes effort on 48 minutes.

The introduction of winger Ryan Goldsmith and Keith O’Flynn, Ramblers Under-19s top scorer this season with 10 goals, added further impetus to the Cobh attack but they were still finding clear cut opportunities hard to come by.

At the other end, Purdy’s excellent set piece delivery was Rovers’ main threat and they nearly doubled their advantage after 69 minutes when a Purdy corner from the left caused havoc in the box but Ramblers eventually cleared.

 Goldsmith was booked for a poor challenge in the 86^th minute as the home side’s frustration began to show but Carson popped up two minutes from time to drill into the far corner and earn Cobh a share of the spoils.

Cobh Ramblers: Shane Hallahan; Damian O'Rourke, Anthony O'Donnell, Eoin Hastings, Craig Burns; Bobbi Donoghue, Roy Kenny, James Carson, Chris McCarthy (Ryan Goldsmith 57); Robert Waters, Alan O'Flynn (Keith O'Flynn 51).
Subs not used: David Walsh, Adam Thompson, Jonathan Spillane, Rob Lynch, Robert Birdsall.

Bookings: Waters (31), Goldsmith (86)

Shamrock Rovers B: Conor O’Malley; Corie Tracey, Alan Kehoe (Evan Osam 90), Seán Heaney, Nathan Brown; Daniel Purdy, Kevin Knight, Ryan Doolin, Ryan Coombes; Emeka Onwubiko (Stephen Confrey 81), Chris Lyons.
Subs not used: Mark Sandford, Michael Kelly, Cian Kavanagh, Conor Dunne, Jack Watson.

Bookings: Kehoe (26), Lyons (90).

Referee: Sean Grant
Attendance: 400 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robert Waters (Cobh Ramblers)